Abstract
A general assay for evaluating functional interactions between ligands and G-protein-coupled receptors within minutes has been developed. The system uses the principles employed by animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish to control their colors. In nature, activation of G-protein-coupled receptors expressed by skin cells called chromatophores effects pigment redistribution within the cells to change an animal's coloration. The in vitro 'chameleon in a dish' equivalent can use essentially any cloned G-protein-coupled receptor.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Biological Assay*
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Cell Line
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Cyclic AMP / physiology
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GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology*
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Ligands*
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Melanophores / drug effects
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Melanophores / physiology*
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Melanophores / radiation effects
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Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
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Peptides / chemical synthesis
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Peptides / pharmacology
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Ranidae
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Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / drug effects
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Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / genetics
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Receptors, Cell Surface / drug effects
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Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*
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Receptors, Cell Surface / radiation effects
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Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
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Signal Transduction / physiology*
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Skin Pigmentation / physiology*
Substances
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Ligands
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Peptides
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Receptors, Adrenergic, beta
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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Recombinant Proteins
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Cyclic AMP
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GTP-Binding Proteins