are trimeric g-proteins: alpha, beta and
gamma subunits.
The G-alpha subunit is commonly
responsible for most biological effects
are guanine nucleotide-binding proteins
Activation?
Bind guanine-diphosphate (GDP) in inactive state.
Bind guanine-triphosphate (GTP) in their active state.
can be stimulatory or inhibitory
1. G- protein rests in its inactive state, bound to GDP
2. When the receptor is activated, the G-protein exchanges GDP for GTP. On binding to
the 1st messenger, there is a conformational change in the 7 transmembrane receptor.
3. The activated G-protein splits and the G-alpha and G-beta-gamma subunits are now available to activate effector proteins.
4. The G-alpha subunit slowly hydrolyses GTP to GDP, terminating it's own activity and becoming inactive again. So, the GPCR 'times itself'.
Roles?
To couple receptors...
...effectors which catalyze
formation of second messengers