G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)

GPCR Background and Product Highlights

GPCR Families and Structures | GPCR Signaling | Regulation of GPCR Signaling | Physiological Functions of GPCRs

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) utilize trimeric G proteins to transduce information from the extracellular environment and other cells to intracellular signals that modulate cellular responses. They are not only the largest and most diverse family of cell membrane receptors, but are, in fact, one of the largest protein classes in mammals. With more than 800 genes in this receptor family, and binding to a vast array of ligands, GPCRs play a role in multiple physiological functions including sight, taste, smell, neurotransmission, pain perception, and immune responses. Novus offers a broad selection of GPCR antibodies covering approximately 80% of the 800+ GPCRs identified and are extensively validated using the 5 Pillars of Antibody Validation. Explore our antibodies. 

GPCRs are also involved in numerous diseases such as cancer, inflammatory and cardiac disorders, and metabolic diseases. As such, these receptors are highly targeted for drug development. About 30-40% of approved drugs target GPCRs. However, this represents only a small proportion of human GPCRs, so there is enormous potential for new drug development targeting these receptors.

GPCR Families and Structures

GPCRs are commonly categorized into different subfamilies based on structural and physiological features of the protein. This classification system, the A-F system, divides GPCRs into six groups, four of which contain mammalian GPCRs: Class A Rhodopsin-like, which contains approximately 80% of GPCRs; Class B Secretin-like; Class C Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors; and Class F Frizzled/Smoothened. The Class D and Class E families are composed of non-mammalian GPCRs. The Class D family are fungal mating pheromone receptors while the Class E family contains cAMP receptors from slime molds.

In recent years, another classification system for mammalian GPCRs has been proposed. The GRAFS System divides mammalian GPCRs into 5 families [Glutamate (G), Rhodopsin (R), Adhesion (A), Frizzled/Taste2 (F), Secretin (S)] based on their phylogenetic tree. The main difference between the A-F and GRAFS system is that the latter separates the Class B GPCR family into 2 groups: the Secretin family and the Adhesion family.

GPCR Signaling

G proteins consist of two functional units, an α subunit (Gα) and a βγ complex (Gβγ). The Gα subunit, a monomeric GTPase, contains a binding site for guanosine nucleotides. When Gα is bound to GDP, the G proteins are inactive, attached to each other, and connected to GPCRs. Ligand binding to the receptors, which are also guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), activates the Gα subunit, triggering the exchange of GDP for GTP.

This causes the G protein to detach from the GPCR and the two units to dissociate. Each functional unit independently acts on effector molecules to activate downstream signaling pathways. Signaling will continue until the GTP molecule is hydrolyzed by the Gα subunit. Additionally, the signal is amplified as the GPCR will continue to activate G proteins for as long as the ligand is bound. Once GTP is hydrolyzed to GDP, Gα-GDP binds to the Gβγ dimer and the heterotrimeric G protein reassociates to the GPCR.

GPCR signaling is very complex, allowing for the activation of a huge diversity of signaling pathways that regulate many different cellular functions. This complexity is due to numerous factors including multiple receptor activation states, receptor dimerization, and activation of non-G protein effector molecules. Additionally, hundreds of different subunit combinations for heterotrimeric G proteins exist due to the vast repertoire of Gα, Gβ, and Gγ isoforms. Each G protein subunit combination binds to specific GPCRs and affects specific effector molecules.

Regulation of GPCR Signaling

GPCR signaling is terminated by hydrolysis of the Gα-bound GTP molecule. However, several mechanisms exist to regulate GPCR signaling. Regulators of G Protein Signaling (RGS) is a diverse family of 20+ proteins that negatively regulate GPCR signaling. They directly interact with Gα subunits, particularly Gα_i, Gα_o, and Gα_z, to accelerate GTP hydrolysis and terminate signaling.

GPCR signaling can also be terminated through a two-step mechanism that involves GPCR kinases (GRKs) and arrestin proteins. GRKs are serine/threonine protein kinases that phosphorylate multiple sites on the C-terminus of activated GPCRs. Arrestin proteins bind to the phosphorylated C-terminus and block the binding of additional G proteins. Arrestins also interact with components of coated pits to recruit GPCRs to the pits and promote Dynamin-dependent receptor internalization. Internalized GPCRs are then dephosphorylated and either recycled back to the cell membrane or targeted for degradation.

Physiological Functions of GPCRs

Since GPCRs are widely distributed and trigger cellular responses to a broad variety of extracellular stimuli, they play key roles in most physiological functions and are associated with numerous pathological conditions. About half of the 800 GPCRs mediate sensory information such as pheromone sensation, olfaction, light perception, and taste. Of the remaining GPCRs, more than 90% are expressed in the brain.

GPCRs in the Nervous System

In the vertebrate nervous system, GPCRs are responsible for slow synaptic transmission, i.e., synaptic transmission that involves that activation of a series of biochemical events. Both the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA, respectively, and a preponderance of other neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine, adenosine, dopamine, serotonin, histamine, ATP, adrenaline/noradrenaline, endocannabinoids, enkephalins/endorphins, and neuropeptides, signal through GPCRS.

GPCRs located on the presynaptic membrane regulate the release of neurotransmitters while postsynaptic GPCRs can control gene expression and influence the efficiency of ionotropic receptors. Nervous system GPCRs play important roles in mood, cognition, pain, and appetite, and are involved in many neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

GPCRs in the Immune System

GPCRs are expressed by many inflammatory cells, including dendritic cells, monocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, and play important roles in the immune system. Chemokine receptors are the signature GPCR subfamily associated with immune functions as they mediate the controlled migration of immune cells during innate and adaptive immunity.

However, many other GPCR subfamilies, including adhesion GPCRs, purinergic receptors, adenosine receptors, formylpeptide receptors, and Lysophospholipid S1P and LPA receptors, are important for immune responses as they regulate activities such as immune cell differentiation and maturation, phagocytosis, and secretion of antimicrobial compounds. Aberrant GPCR expression or activation underlies the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies, and autoinflammatory syndromes.

GPCRs in Cancer

GPCRs are involved in many cancer types. They are not only expressed by tumor cells, but also by many cells present in the tumor microenvironment including immune, stromal, and vascular cells. GPCRs and GPCR-mediated signaling regulate many cellular functions vital for cancer progression such as tumor cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis. Research has identified altered GPCR signaling in many cancers due to aberrant overexpression, gain-of-function mutations, mutations in downstream effector molecules, and increased production of GPCR ligands by tumor and stromal cells.