A essential family for cellular communication membrane receptors | Premios Nobel de Química 2012: Una familia de receptores de membrana esencial para la comunicación celular

Abstract

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012 has been awarded to Robert J. Lefkowitz and Brian K. Kobilka for their studies on G-protein-coupled receptors. The components of this family of membrane proteins are ubiquitous and versatile biological sensors that play an essential physiological role by allowing our cells to respond to external stimuli. GPCR also are very important pharmacological targets for the treatment of a variety of pathological conditions. The contributions of Lefkowitz have been decisive in unveiling the chemical nature of these receptors and to better understand their signaling and regulatory mechanisms. Lefkowitz and Kobilka also cloned the beta-adrenergic receptor gene and paved the way for the identification of a large family of structurally-related receptor proteins. Finally, Kobilka has recently determined the tridimensional structure of prototypical GPCRs. The work by Lefkowitz and Kobilka opens exciting avenues for a better knowledge of receptor alterations in pathological situations and for the design of novel therapeutic strategies.