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Horm Metab Res 2014; 46(12): 827-832
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1384523
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Real-Time Monitoring of GPCR/cAMP Signalling by FRET and Single-Molecule Microscopy

D. Calebiro
1   Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology & Bio-Imaging Center/Rudolf Virchow Center, DFG-Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
,
T. Sungkaworn
1   Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology & Bio-Imaging Center/Rudolf Virchow Center, DFG-Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
,
I. Maiellaro
1   Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology & Bio-Imaging Center/Rudolf Virchow Center, DFG-Research Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 31 March 2014

accepted 17 June 2014

Publication Date:
23 July 2014 (online)

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Abstract

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), located on the surface of virtually every cell in our organism, mediate the effects of many hormones and neurotransmitters. Although GPCRs have been extensively studied for more than 4 decades using pharmacological and biochemical methods, the recent introduction of optical methods such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and single-molecule microscopy is fostering novel and important discoveries in the field. Here, we review the use of such optical methods, focusing on some recent examples of their application to important and still unresolved questions concerning the spatial organisation and dynamics of GPCR signalling.

Key words

G-protein-coupled receptor - thyroid-stimulating hormone - fluorescence resonance energy transfer - single-molecule microscopy
 

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