G Protein-Coupled Receptors and the Nobel Prize

Ashutosh Jogalekar
Published October 10, 2012
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/the-curious-wavefunction/2012/10/10/g-protein-coupled-receptors-gpcrs-win-2012-nobel-prize-in-chemistry/
Summary: Up until the late 20th century how cells can sense their environment was a mystery.  Scientists theorized that our cells had some sort of sensors on their surfaces.  Since then, many important discoveries regarding cell sensors have been made.  Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka have been studying these cell sensors for over 40 years.  Lefkowitz started off using radioactive isotopes to trace cell receptors in the early late 60's and then again in the 80's, but his most important discovery happened earlier this year.  This specific discovery deals with G-protein coupled receptors, receptors that sense hormones and other substances.  Similar to the light, odor, and flavor sensors we have in our eyes, nose and mouths, our bodies have internal protein sensors that help our body recognize chemicals like dopamine, adrenalin, serotonin and histamine.  Roughly half of all medications affect these G protein receptors.  Of course, scientists knew that our body reacts to these substances, but they didn't fully understand how the receptors in our brain recognize them and convey signals.  Lefkowitz and Kobilka discovered that these receptors function in the same manner as light receptors in our eyes.  Their most recent breakthrough came when they took a picture of the exact moment one of the adrenalin receptors was activated and sent signals into the cell.

Connection:  This directly connects to our unit about cells, specifically about proteins.  We discussed how protein receptors in cells send signals, exactly what this article is about.  We've also been learning about how proteins contribute to chemical reactions within our cells.  The protein receptors discussed in this article enable our bodies to function and carry out extremely complex chemical reactions.