A cellular logic for G protein-coupled ion channel pathways

Abstract

A vast array of cellular signal transduction processes arise from combinations of many different types of agonists, receptors, effectors, and coupling molecules such as heterotrimeric G proteins or protein kinases that connect receptors to effectors. Receptors, effectors, G proteins, and kinases are being newly identified at bewildering speeds and in the process it seems that our understanding of how cells respond to specific stimuli may have diminished just as we lose sight of the forest when we are buried in the trees. Evolution would suggest that there may be a logic to the response provoked by a given stimulus and, using our recently acquired knowledge of G protein pathways between receptors and ion channel effectors, I will attempt to decipher what the underlying logic might be.