Uncovering the intimate relationship between lipids, cholesterol and GPCR activation.

The membrane bilayer has a significant influence over the proteins embedded within it. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form a large group of membrane proteins with a vast array of critical functions, and direct and indirect interactions with the bilayer are thought to control various essential a...

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Main Authors: Oates, J, Watts, A
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2011
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author Oates, J
Watts, A
author_facet Oates, J
Watts, A
author_sort Oates, J
collection OXFORD
description The membrane bilayer has a significant influence over the proteins embedded within it. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form a large group of membrane proteins with a vast array of critical functions, and direct and indirect interactions with the bilayer are thought to control various essential aspects of receptor function. The presence of cholesterol, in particular, has been the focus of a number of recent studies, with varying receptor-dependent effects reported. However, the possibility of specific cholesterol binding sites on GPCRs remains debatable at present. A deeper structural and mechanistic understanding of the complex and delicately balanced nature of GPCR-bilayer interactions has only been revealed so far in studies with the non-ligand binding, class A GPCR, rhodopsin. Further investigations are essential if we are to appreciate fully the role of the bilayer composition in GPCR activation and signalling; indeed, recent improvements in GPCR expression and purification, along with development of novel reconstitution methods should make these types of biophysical investigations much more accessible. In this review we highlight the latest research on GPCR-membrane interactions and some of the tools available for more detailed studies.
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spelling oxford-uuid:bbfab5e5-1a6b-4877-8138-4a18908591602022-03-27T05:21:03ZUncovering the intimate relationship between lipids, cholesterol and GPCR activation.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:bbfab5e5-1a6b-4877-8138-4a1890859160EnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2011Oates, JWatts, AThe membrane bilayer has a significant influence over the proteins embedded within it. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form a large group of membrane proteins with a vast array of critical functions, and direct and indirect interactions with the bilayer are thought to control various essential aspects of receptor function. The presence of cholesterol, in particular, has been the focus of a number of recent studies, with varying receptor-dependent effects reported. However, the possibility of specific cholesterol binding sites on GPCRs remains debatable at present. A deeper structural and mechanistic understanding of the complex and delicately balanced nature of GPCR-bilayer interactions has only been revealed so far in studies with the non-ligand binding, class A GPCR, rhodopsin. Further investigations are essential if we are to appreciate fully the role of the bilayer composition in GPCR activation and signalling; indeed, recent improvements in GPCR expression and purification, along with development of novel reconstitution methods should make these types of biophysical investigations much more accessible. In this review we highlight the latest research on GPCR-membrane interactions and some of the tools available for more detailed studies.
spellingShingle Oates, J
Watts, A
Uncovering the intimate relationship between lipids, cholesterol and GPCR activation.
title Uncovering the intimate relationship between lipids, cholesterol and GPCR activation.
title_full Uncovering the intimate relationship between lipids, cholesterol and GPCR activation.
title_fullStr Uncovering the intimate relationship between lipids, cholesterol and GPCR activation.
title_full_unstemmed Uncovering the intimate relationship between lipids, cholesterol and GPCR activation.
title_short Uncovering the intimate relationship between lipids, cholesterol and GPCR activation.
title_sort uncovering the intimate relationship between lipids cholesterol and gpcr activation
work_keys_str_mv AT oatesj uncoveringtheintimaterelationshipbetweenlipidscholesterolandgpcractivation
AT wattsa uncoveringtheintimaterelationshipbetweenlipidscholesterolandgpcractivation