Pharmacology

G-Proteins

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  • Mediate the effects of receptor-ligand interactions
  • Membrane-bound proteins 
  • Three subunits
    • Alpha: GTPase
    • Beta and gamma: attach the protein to the membrane
  • The alpha subunit dissociates on binding of an agonist and converts GTP to GDP 
  • A single agonist ligand can activate numerous G-proteins, leading to signal amplification
  • Examples
    • Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
    • Adrenergic receptors

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