G protein-coupled receptor overexpression with the baculovirus–insect cell system: a tool for structural and functional studies

摘要: G protein-coupled receptors, whose topology shows seven transmembrane domains, form the largest known family of receptors involved in higher organism signal transduction. These are generally low natural abundance and overexpression is usually a prerequisite to their structural or functional characterisation. The baculovirus-insect cell system constitutes versatile tool for maximal production receptors. This heterologous expression also provides interesting alternatives receptor studies well-controlled cellular context.