Probing the binding site of a heptahelical peptide pheromone receptor using photoaffinity labelling,site-directed mutagenesis and spectroscopic approaches

摘要

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are multifunctional proteins involved in cell-cell communication and represent the largest gene family in eukaryotes.Signal molecules recognized by these receptors include odorants,biogenic amines,peptides and proteins,and are involved in regulation of a plethora of biological processes including pain sensation,growth,blood pressure regulation and intermediary metabolism.