GRKs and β-arrestins: roles in receptor silencing, trafficking and signaling

E Reiter, RJ Lefkowitz - Trends in endocrinology & metabolism, 2006 - cell.com
Trends in endocrinology & metabolism, 2006cell.com
Stimulation of cell-surface seven-transmembrane receptors (7TMRs) elicits biological
responses to a wide range of extracellular signals, including many hormones. Classically,
heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) are recruited to the activated conformation
of 7TMRs. Only two other families of protein have this remarkable characteristic: G-protein-
coupled receptor kinases and β-arrestins. These two protein families have long been known
to have a central and coordinated role in the 'desensitization'of G protein activation by …
Stimulation of cell-surface seven-transmembrane receptors (7TMRs) elicits biological responses to a wide range of extracellular signals, including many hormones. Classically, heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) are recruited to the activated conformation of 7TMRs. Only two other families of protein have this remarkable characteristic: G-protein-coupled receptor kinases and β-arrestins. These two protein families have long been known to have a central and coordinated role in the ‘desensitization' of G protein activation by 7TMRs. In addition, G-protein-coupled receptor kinases and β-arrestins are involved in an increasing number of interactions with non-receptor proteins, broadening the variety of their cellular functions. These newly appreciated attributes of these two families of protein highlight their unique ability to coordinate the various aspects of 7TMR functions.
cell.com