Structure and Function of GPCR Dimer
10.16476/j.pibb.2024.0039
- VernacularTitle:GPCR二聚体结构及功能
- Author:
Chuan-Bao LI
1
;
Chen-Hui LI
2
;
Li XUE
1
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Center of Pituitary Tumor, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai200025, China
2. School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai200237, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
G protein-coupled receptor;
dimer;
structure of GPCR dimer;
function of GPCR dimer
- From:
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics
2024;51(11):2787-2804
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are an essential family of proteins on the cell membrane, widely distributed in various types of tissues and cells. Typical GPCRs are composed of characteristic 7 transmembraneα-helix domains, extracellular domain and intracellular domain. They play a key role in transmitting information inside and outside cells. These receptors can sense and respond to a variety of external signals, including odor molecules, hormones, neurotransmitters, chemokines, and so on, thereby regulating the physiological functions and metabolic activities of cells. When external signal molecules bind, these receptors undergo conformational changes, thereby activating signal transduction pathways inside cells. The most common downstream signal pathway is the activation of G proteins, but it may also activate the β-arrestin signaling pathway. This series of signal transduction processes ultimately regulates physiological processes such as cell metabolism, proliferation, and differentiation, and also plays an important role in the occurrence and development of diseases. Due to its importance in regulating cell functions and participating in the development of diseases, GPCRs have become important targets in the field of drug research and development. The mechanism of action of many drugs is achieved by intervening in the GPCR signaling pathway. As important form of function regulating, dimerization has attracted widespread attention in the research of GPCR field. In the early days, the formation of GPCR dimerization and its effect on receptor function were mainly studied by immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and radioligand binding experiments in overexpression systems. Nowadays, with the continuous development of biochemical and biophysical methods, more and more GPCR dimers have been identified. GPCR dimer refers to the process in which two GPCR subunits bind to each other to form a complex. The same GPCR subunits form homodimers, and different GPCR subunits form heterodimers through direct interaction. Dimerization changes the activity, affinity, internalization, localization and transport, and signal transduction characteristics of GPCR, thereby producing more complex and delicate regulation of cellular physiological processes. In recent years, the research on GPCR dimers has been continuously deepened, revealing its important role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. In general, the structure of GPCR dimers is complex and diverse, and its formation and stability are affected by many factors, including the specificity of receptor interaction interface, the conformational changes of receptor, and the regulation of intracellular and extracellular environment. By understanding the mechanism of GPCR dimerization, we can better understand the behavior of these receptors in signal transduction and provide new ideas and opportunities for the development of novel drug targets. More and more studies have reported the dimerization of GPCR and its structure and function regulation mechanism. This article reviews the research progress on the structure and function of GPCR dimers, and summarizes some research methods and technologies, which provide a basis for understanding the discovery of GPCR dimers, dimerization methods, structure and function regulation mechanisms, and further targeting GPCR dimers. It provides a research basis for the development of polymer drugs.
