Role of G protein-mediated signal transduction in molecular pharmacodynamics

Hormones, neurotransmitter and autacoid receptors, localized on the plasma membrane, do not interact directly with their respective downstream effector (i.e., an ion channel and/or an enzyme that synthesizes a second messenger), but control their target systems via activation of an intermediary guanine nucleotide binding protein on G protein, which serves as signal transducer. Traffic of these pathways is regulated via a GTP (on)-GDP (off) switch, which is triggered by the receptor. The combination of classical biochemistry and recombinant DNA technology has resulted in the discovery of many members of the G protein family. Receptor desensitization is a main criterion of G protein-coupled receptors with important pharmacological implications. Multiple mechanisms are responsible for the loss of sensitivity that follows against exposure. The process is initiated by uncoupling the receptor from its G protein, which is due to receptor phosphorylation by specific kinases. In the case of the beta-adrenergic receptor, two particular kinases - beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) and protein kinase A--are involved. Further steps of desensitization are receptor sequestration or internalization, an event as rapid and transient as receptor uncoupling, and receptor downregulation, which requires more prolonged agonist exposure. Finally, antagonists are able to induce a receptor-G protein interaction in a reverse manner to agonists. Whereas agonists stimulate both, the GDP dissociation from the G protein and the association of GTP, antagonists markedly decrease GTP association. Moreover, in the turkey erythrocyte adenylyl cyclase system antagonists decrease the GTP-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity almost at basal levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)