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Team:Chalmers-Gothenburg/Theory
From 2012.igem.org
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| - | == G protein-coupled receptors == | + | <!-- == G protein-coupled receptors == |
In our biosensor we will utilize the LH/CG receptor which is a member of the family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRS). GPCRs are the largest class of cell-surface receptors and are used by all eukaryotic organisms, including yeast. They mediate responses to a wide variety of extracellular signals such as smell, taste, light, neurotransmitters and hormones [16] and they control important functions like heart rate and blood pressure. GPCRs are also the most common target for medicinal drugs today and nearly 30 % of all pharmaceuticals function by acting as modulators of GPCRs [17]. | In our biosensor we will utilize the LH/CG receptor which is a member of the family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRS). GPCRs are the largest class of cell-surface receptors and are used by all eukaryotic organisms, including yeast. They mediate responses to a wide variety of extracellular signals such as smell, taste, light, neurotransmitters and hormones [16] and they control important functions like heart rate and blood pressure. GPCRs are also the most common target for medicinal drugs today and nearly 30 % of all pharmaceuticals function by acting as modulators of GPCRs [17]. | ||
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[[File:GPCR.jpg|center|600px]] | [[File:GPCR.jpg|center|600px]] | ||
| - | <p align="justify"; style="width:auto; margin-left:80px; margin-right:80px;"><font face="verdana"><small>'''Schematic illustrations of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR).''' The GPCR consists of a cytosolic region, a ligand-binding extracellular region and seven transmembrane domains. The receptor is associated with a trimeric GTP-binding protein (G protein) consisting of three subunits called α, β and γ. (A) When no signal molecule is present, the G protein binds to GDP and is inactive. (B) Upon binding of a signal protein to the ligand-binding site, a conformational change of the receptor occurs. This enables the receptor to interact with the α subunit of the associated G protein, which then exchanges its bound GDP to GTP. This activates the G protein and causes the βγ subunit to dissociate, thus enabling it to relay the signal by regulating the activity of additional intracellular signaling proteins. Figure is adapted from [16].</small></font></p> | + | <p align="justify"; style="width:auto; margin-left:80px; margin-right:80px;"><font face="verdana"><small>'''Schematic illustrations of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR).''' The GPCR consists of a cytosolic region, a ligand-binding extracellular region and seven transmembrane domains. The receptor is associated with a trimeric GTP-binding protein (G protein) consisting of three subunits called α, β and γ. (A) When no signal molecule is present, the G protein binds to GDP and is inactive. (B) Upon binding of a signal protein to the ligand-binding site, a conformational change of the receptor occurs. This enables the receptor to interact with the α subunit of the associated G protein, which then exchanges its bound GDP to GTP. This activates the G protein and causes the βγ subunit to dissociate, thus enabling it to relay the signal by regulating the activity of additional intracellular signaling proteins. Figure is adapted from [16].</small></font></p> --!> |
== Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone== | == Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone== | ||
Revision as of 12:44, 4 July 2012
Introduction
In this section we present some information needed to understand the design of our biosensor. Firstly, a short introduction to G protein-coupled receptors will be given. Thereafter, the hCG hormone, its associated LH/CG receptor and their roles during pregnancy will be discussed. The construction of our hCG biosensor will require the assembly of several biological components in yeast, such as a functional human GPCR, a modified pheromone signaling pathway, and reporter genes encoding indigo-synthesizing enzymes. Hence, in this section, we will also present needed background information and previous approaches within these areas.
