Computational prediction of the coupling specificity of G protein-coupled receptors

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent one of the most important categories of membrane proteins that play important roles in signaling pathways. GPCRs transduce the extracellular stimuli into intracellular second messengers via their coupling to specific class of heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) and the subsequent regulation of a diverse variety of effectors. Understanding the coupling specificity of GPCRs is critical for further comprehending their function, and is of tremendous clinical significance because GPCRs are the most successful drug targets. This minireview addresses the computational approaches that have been created for the prediction of coupling specificity of GPCRs and highlights the perspective of bioinformatics strategies that may be used to tackle this important task. In addition, some of the important resources of this field are also provided.