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Updated: Nov 16, 2025

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding
Published on: June 9, 2017
Photoinduced receptor confinement drives ligand-independent GPCR signaling
M Florencia Sánchez1, Sylvia Els-Heindl2, Annette G Beck-Sickinger2
1Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Abstract:
Cell-cell communication relies on the assembly of receptor-ligand complexes at the plasma membrane. The spatiotemporal receptor organization has a pivotal role in evoking cellular responses. We studied the clustering of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and established a photoinstructive matrix with ultrasmall lock-and-key interaction pairs to control lateral membrane organization of hormone neuropeptide Y2 receptors in living cells by light. Within seconds, receptor clustering was modulated in size, location, and density. After in situ confinement, changes in cellular morphology, motility, and calcium signaling revealed ligand-independent receptor activation. This approach may enhance the exploration of mechanisms in cell signaling and mechanotransduction.
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