Optional reading:
Discovery of G proteins. The 1994 Nobel Prize was awarded to Gilman and Rodbell for discovering G proteins and the processes of signal transduction. The "Press Release" describes their scientific findings, and there are neat illustrations and biographical notes.Figures from Becker, Kleinsmith, Hardin, The World of the Cell (4th edition,
figure # differs from 3rd ed.):
Fig
10-4: The G protein activation/inactivation cycle
Fig
10-5: The structure and metabolism of cAMP
Fig
10-6: The role of G proteins and cyclic AMP in signal transduction
Fig
10-8: The role of DAG and IP3
Fig
10-9: The role of IP3 and DAG in signal transduction
Fig
10-11: An overview of calcium regulation in cells
Fig
10-16: The structure and activation of a receptor tyrosine kinase
Fig
21-27: Activation of gene transcription by glucocorticoid receptors
Animations(You'll need to download Shockwave to see some of these.)
Production
of IP3 and Ca2+ Ion Wave. A really cool animation! You have to repeatedly hit the Go
button for it to proceed to the next step.
Endocrine
system . The mechanism of hormone actions includes an animation of tyrosine kinase
receptor activation.
Dopamine receptor
activation, with G protein
3-D
model of G-protein-linked receptor