Hot spots for GPCR signaling: lessons from single-molecule microscopy.

摘要: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are among the best-studied membrane receptors, mainly due to their central role in human physiology, involvement disease and relevance as drug targets. Although biochemical pharmacological studies have characterized main steps GPCR signaling, how GPCRs produce highly specific responses our cells remains insufficiently understood. New developments single-molecule microscopy made it possible study protein–protein interactions at basis of signaling previously inconceivable detail. Using this approach, was recently follow individual proteins they diffuse, interact signal on surface living cells. This has revealed hot spots plasma membrane, where undergo transient rapid local signals. Overall, these recent findings reveal a high degree dynamicity complexity by GPCRs, which provides new understand important effects might pave way innovative approaches.