Ligands and Beyond: Mechanosensitive Adhesion GPCRs
Hsi-Hsien Lin1,2,3, Kwai-Fong Ng2, Tse-Ching Chen2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Cells respond to diverse types of mechanical stimuli using a wide range of plasma membrane-associated mechanosensitive receptors to convert extracellular mechanical cues into intracellular signaling. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest cell surface protein superfamily that function as versatile sensors for a broad spectrum of bio/chemical messages. In recent years, accumulating evidence has shown that GPCRs can also engage in mechano-transduction. According to the GRAFS classification system of GPCRs, adhesion GPCRs (aGPCRs) constitute the second largest GPCR subfamily with a unique modular protein architecture and post-translational modification that are well adapted for mechanosensory functions. Here, we present a critical review of current evidence on mechanosensitive aGPCRs.
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