Dissemin is shutting down on January 1st, 2025

Published in

Nature Research, Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 4(2), p. 274-286, 2001

DOI: 10.1038/35067575

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Oligomerization of G-protein-coupled transmitter receptors

Journal article published in 2001 by Michel Bouvier ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Examples of G-protein-coupled receptors that can be biochemically detected in homo- or heteromeric complexes are emerging at an accelerated rate. Biophysical approaches have confirmed the existence of several such complexes in living cells and there is strong evidence to support the idea that dimerization is important in different aspects of receptor biogenesis and function. While the existence of G-protein-coupled-receptor homodimers raises fundamental questions about the molecular mechanisms involved in transmitter recognition and signal transduction, the formation of heterodimers raises fascinating combinatorial possibilities that could underlie an unexpected level of pharmacological diversity, and contribute to cross-talk regulation between transmission systems. Because G-protein-coupled receptors are major pharmacological targets, the existence of dimers could have important implications for the development and screening of new drugs. Here, we review the evidence supporting the existence of G-protein-coupled-receptor dimerization and discuss its functional importance.