Cited by 1,227Receptor Mechanisms and SignalingProtein Kinase Regulation and GTPase SignalingNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

The Molecular Basis of G Protein–Coupled Receptor Activation

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Weis, William I., Kobilka, Brian K.·2018·Annual Review of Biochemistry

Abstract

G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate the majority of cellular responses to external stimuli. Upon activation by a ligand, the receptor binds to a partner heterotrimeric G protein and promotes exchange of GTP for GDP, leading to dissociation of the G protein into α and βγ subunits that mediate downstream signals. GPCRs can also activate distinct signaling pathways through arrestins. Active states of GPCRs form by small rearrangements of the ligand-binding, or orthosteric, site that are amplified into larger conformational changes. Molecular understanding of the allosteric coupling between ligand binding and G protein or arrestin interaction is emerging from structures of several GPCRs crystallized in inactive and active states, spectroscopic data, and computer simulations. The coupling is loose, rather than concerted, and agonist binding does not fully stabilize the receptor in an active conformation. Distinct intermediates whose populations are shifted by ligands of different efficacies underlie the complex pharmacology of GPCRs.

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Authors
Weis, W. I., & Kobilka, B. K.
Affiliations
Stanford Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Kobilka, Brian K.
Venue
Annual Review of Biochemistry
Published
2018-06-20
Volume
87
Issue
1
Pages
897-919
ISSN
  • 0066-4154 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-4509
OpenAlex
W2809303314
Cited by
1,227
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 160 · 2025: 191 · 2024: 183 · 2023: 174 · 2022: 151 · 2021: 161 · 2020: 124 · 2019: 71 · 2018: 11
FWCI
9.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annual Review of Biochemistry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01GM083118)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS028471)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
G protein-coupled receptors, G protein activation, GTPase activity, arrestin, allosteric communication, receptor conformational change, ligand efficacy, GPCR pharmacology, G protein dissociation
MeSH terms
Allosteric Regulation, Binding Sites, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Ligands, Models, Molecular, Protein Conformation, Conserved Sequence, Crystallography, X-Ray, Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled

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