RESEARCH: G-PROTEINS
FOLDING PROJECT #17262 PROFILE

G-proteins control important body functions like vision and muscle movement by switching between active and inactive states. This switch depends on whether they have GDP or GTP attached. The project relates to understanding how G-proteins get rid of GDP, a crucial step for them to become active. Disrupting this process can cause diseases.

G-proteins play central role in various signalling pathways involved in vision, taste, oflaction, muscle contraction and neurotransmission.

G-proteins regulate these signalling pathways by switching between 'active' and 'inactive' states, dictated by the type nucleotide bound to their active site.

When bound to gaunosine dinucleotide (GDP), G-proteins adopt inactive state.

Dissociation of GDP and subsequent binding of gaunosine trinucleotide (GTP) activates G-proteins, which in turn activate downstream signalling pathways.

GDP dissociation is the rate limiting step in activation of G-proteins and misregulation of this process can often lead to disease conditions.

in this project, we are studying the mechanism of GDP dissociation process.

G-proteins

Proteins involved in transmitting signals within cells.

G-proteins are crucial for cellular communication. They act like molecular switches, turning on and off various signaling pathways that control many essential functions like vision, taste, muscle movement, and nerve impulses. Their activity depends on binding to specific molecules called GDP or GTP.

GDP

Guanosine Diphosphate

GDP is a molecule that binds to G-proteins, putting them in an inactive state. It's like the 'off' switch for these proteins.

GTP

Guanosine Triphosphate

GTP is a molecule that binds to G-proteins, activating them. It's like the 'on' switch for these proteins.

Signaling Pathways

Series of biochemical reactions that transmit signals within a cell.

Signaling pathways are complex networks of molecules that relay information from outside the cell to its interior. This allows cells to respond to their environment and carry out various functions.