Regulation of G protein-coupled receptors by palmitoylation and cholesterol

BMC Biol. 2012 Mar 19:10:27. doi: 10.1186/1741-7007-10-27.

Abstract

Due to their membrane location, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are subject to regulation by soluble and integral membrane proteins as well as membrane components, including lipids and sterols. GPCRs also undergo a variety of post-translational modifications, including palmitoylation. A recent article by Zheng et al. in BMC Cell Biology demonstrates cooperative roles for receptor palmitoylation and cholesterol binding in GPCR dimerization and G protein coupling, underlining the complex regulation of these receptors.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lipoylation*
  • Protein Multimerization
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Cholesterol
  • GTP-Binding Proteins