The Vital Role of G-Protein Coupled Receptors in Health and Disease

Abstract

1. The Receptor here is G-Protein Coupled Receptor   2. 3. Functions : Epinephrine  Through its action on alpha-1 receptors, epinephrine induces increased vascular smooth muscle contraction, pupillary dilator muscle contraction, and intestinal sphincter muscle contraction. Other significant effects include increased heart rate, myocardial contractility, and renin release via beta-1 receptors. Strong emotions such as fear or anger cause epinephrine to be released into the bloodstream, which causes an increase in heart rate, muscle strength, blood pressure, and sugar metabolism. This reaction, known as the "Flight or Fight Response" prepares the body for strenuous activity. Glucagon : When activated:  It stimulates the liver to break down glycogen to be released into the blood as glucose. It activates gluconeogenesis, the conversion of amino acids into glucose. It breaks down stored fat (triglycerides) into fatty acids for use as fuel by cells. 4. If your pathway were to no longer function, what would happen to the cell?  Signaling pathways control cell growth. These pathways are controlled by signaling proteins, which are, in turn, expressed by genes. Mutations in these genes can result in malfunctioning signaling proteins. This prevents the cell from regulating its cell cycle, triggering unrestricted cell division and cancer. Structural alterations provoked by mutations or variations in the genes coding for GPCRs may lead to misfolding, altered plasma membrane expression of the receptor protein and frequently to disease. A malfunctioning protein phosphatase would not be able to dephosphorylate a particular receptor or relay protein. As a result, the signaling pathway, once activated, would not be able to be terminated. 5. Describe any disease associated with the pathway of your choice. Malfunction of GPCR signaling pathways are involved in many diseases, such as diabetes, blindness, allergies, depression, cardiovascular defects, and certain forms of cancer. Mutations in GPCR can cause acquired and inherited...