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G protein-Coupled Receptors: An Overview of Signaling Mechanisms and Screening Assays

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Book cover G Protein-Coupled Receptor Screening Assays

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1272))

Abstract

The existence of cellular receptors, a group of specialized biomolecules to which endogenous and exogenous compounds bind and exert an effect, is one of the most exciting aspects of cell biology. Among the different receptor types recognized today, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute, undoubtedly, one of the most important classes, in part due to their versatility, but particularly, due to their central role in a multitude of physiological states. The unveiling of GPCR function and mode of action is a challenging task that prevails until our days, as the full potential of these receptors is far from being established. Such an undertaking calls for a joint effort of multidisciplinary teams that must combine state-of-the-art technologies with in-depth knowledge of cell biology to probe such specialized molecules. This review provides a concise coverage of the scientific progress that has been made in GPCR research to provide researchers with an updated overview of the field. A brief outline of the historical breakthroughs is followed by a discussion of GPCR signaling mechanisms and by a description of the role played by assay technologies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IBB – Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal

    Duarte Miguel F. Prazeres & Sofia Aires M. Martins

  2. Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    Duarte Miguel F. Prazeres

Authors
  1. Duarte Miguel F. Prazeres
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  2. Sofia Aires M. Martins
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Correspondence to Duarte Miguel F. Prazeres .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. IBB – Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Lisbon, Portugal

    Duarte Miguel F. Prazeres  & Sofia Aires M. Martins  & 

  2. Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    Duarte Miguel F. Prazeres

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Prazeres, D.M.F., Martins, S.A.M. (2015). G protein-Coupled Receptors: An Overview of Signaling Mechanisms and Screening Assays. In: Prazeres, D.M.F., Martins, S.A.M. (eds) G Protein-Coupled Receptor Screening Assays. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1272. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2336-6_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2336-6_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2335-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2336-6

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