Abstract
Heptahelical G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are located in the cell's plasma membrane and are responsible for transmitting chemical signals across the lipid bilayer. GPCRs comprise a large family of related receptors that have evolved to bind a wide range of extracellular ligands, from biogenic amines and neuromodulatory peptides to peptide hormones and proteins, and to lipids and fatty acids, to name but a few. Recent advances in the study of structural biology of GPCRs, including reports of high-resolution crystal structures of nearly ten different receptors have transformed the field. Beginning in the mid-1980's and continuing until his retirement, H Gobind Khorana and his co-workers at MIT worked on the prototypical GPCR rhodopsin and provided an early framework of experimental technologies and discoverieswhich propelled the field forward and continue to have a huge impact on literally hundreds of laboratories worldwide.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1165-1173 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Resonance |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- GPCR
- Rhodopsin
- Signal transduction
- structure-function
- vision
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education