Adhesion-GPCRs: emerging roles for novel receptors

Trends Biochem Sci. 2008 Oct;33(10):491-500. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2008.07.005. Epub 2008 Sep 11.

Abstract

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family comprises the largest class of cell surface receptors found in metazoan proteomes. Within the novel GPCR subfamily of adhesion-GPCRs, approximately 150 distinct orthologues, from invertebrates to mammals, have been identified to date. All members of this family contain a large extracellular region, often containing common protein modules, coupled to a seven-transmembrane domain via a stalk region that seems to be crucial for functionality. Owing to their unique structure, restricted expression profile and involvement in several human diseases, adhesion-GPCRs have long been proposed to have vital dual roles in cellular adhesion and signalling. More recent studies have provided structural, evolutionary, developmental and immunological insights in relation to the adhesion-GPCR family.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Membrane / physiology
  • Human Genome Project
  • Humans
  • Mammals / genetics
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Conformation
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / chemistry
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / immunology
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / physiology
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled