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Related Concept Videos

G-protein Coupled Receptors01:21

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.
GTPases and their Regulation02:14

GTPases and their Regulation

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), also known as GTPases, are a superfamily of proteins that regulate many cellular processes, such as cell signaling, vesicular transport, and the regulation of cell shape and motility. Mutation or dysfunction of these proteins can lead to disease. There are around 40,000 known G-proteins that can broadly be classified into two groups ‒  small G-proteins consisting of a single domain and large multi-domain G-proteins.
Large G-proteins, also known...
G-protein Coupled Receptors01:21

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.
G Protein-coupled Receptors01:15

G Protein-coupled Receptors

G Protein-Coupled Receptors or GPCRs are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to sensory stimuli such as light, odors, hormones, cytokines, or neurotransmitters.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins01:22

Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. As the name suggests, heterotrimeric G proteins are composed of three subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. They remain GDP-bound or GTP-bound inside the cells and switch between inactive/active states. The Gα subunit possesses the nucleotide-binding pocket that binds guanine nucleotides and switches between GDP or GTP-bound states. In contrast, the Gꞵ and Gγ subunits are always bound together with high affinity and are together...
G Protein-coupled Receptors01:15

G Protein-coupled Receptors

G Protein-Coupled Receptors or GPCRs are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to sensory stimuli such as light, odors, hormones, cytokines, or neurotransmitters.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding
10:13

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding

Published on: June 9, 2017

Heterotrimeric G proteins

H E Hamm1, A Gilchrist

  • 1University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, 835 S Wolcott, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|April 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers are advancing the understanding of heterotrimeric G proteins by resolving their structures and exploring subunit interactions. This work clarifies how lipid modifications and the Gbeta gamma dimer influence effector stimulation.

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A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators
07:41

A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators

Published on: February 20, 2018

BRET-based G Protein Biosensors for Measuring G Protein-Coupled Receptor Activity in Live Cells
09:21

BRET-based G Protein Biosensors for Measuring G Protein-Coupled Receptor Activity in Live Cells

Published on: November 7, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding
10:13

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding

Published on: June 9, 2017

A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators
07:41

A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators

Published on: February 20, 2018

BRET-based G Protein Biosensors for Measuring G Protein-Coupled Receptor Activity in Live Cells
09:21

BRET-based G Protein Biosensors for Measuring G Protein-Coupled Receptor Activity in Live Cells

Published on: November 7, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Heterotrimeric G proteins are crucial signal transducers.
  • Their function is regulated by subunit interactions and modifications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize recent advancements in heterotrimeric G protein research.
  • To highlight structural and functional insights gained over the past year.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography for structural resolution.
  • Biochemical studies to elucidate lipid modification effects.
  • Investigating Gbeta gamma dimer interactions with effectors.

Main Results:

  • Three-dimensional structures of G proteins have been resolved.
  • The impact of lipid modifications on Galpha and Ggamma subunits is better understood.
  • The role of the Gbeta gamma dimer in effector stimulation is being elucidated.
  • Key contact points between subunits and with receptors/effectors are being identified.

Conclusions:

  • Recent structural and biochemical studies are significantly advancing the field of heterotrimeric G protein research.
  • Understanding subunit interactions and modifications is key to deciphering G protein signaling pathways.