The genes or cDNAs of nearly 800 human GPCRs have been identified, however, only 300 have been functionally characterized. Consequently, the agonists and signal transduction pathways of the remaining 500 receptors remain unknown. The receptor of interest, GP133, is classified as an adhesion receptor due to structural similarities with characterized family members, however, it displays significant sequence similarity and homology to four receptors of the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum. The D. discoideum receptors bind the agonist 3’,5’-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), initiating a signaling pathway resulting in increased intracellular cAMP and initiation of the organism’s developmental pathway. The structural and functional similarities to the D. discoideum receptors and its potential role in cell adhesion suggest that GP133 may also bind extracellular cAMP and initiate a similar signaling pathway. Ongoing experiments implicate extracellular cAMP is an agonist of GP133, resulting in an increase in intracellular cAMP.

Characterization of a human G protein-coupled receptor

251st National Meeting (2016)

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