Promiscuous G-protein activation by the calcium-sensing receptor. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38632411/)

These scientists studied a special receptor called the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) that helps our bodies keep the right amount of calcium in our cells. This receptor does more than just balance calcium levels, it also helps with different cell activities. The scientists wanted to understand how this receptor works with different proteins called G proteins. They found that the CaSR receptor can connect to three different types of G proteins - G(q), G(i), and G(s) - and they discovered how this connection happens.

They saw that the CaSR receptor forms a pair with another CaSR receptor, and this pair connects to one G protein. The G protein attaches to a specific part of the CaSR receptor and this connection helps the G protein change its shape and become active. By studying this connection, the scientists learned how the CaSR receptor can work with different types of G proteins. They also found a specific part of the G protein that decides which type of G protein it will connect to.

Overall, the scientists learned how the CaSR receptor can connect to different G proteins and help with various cell functions.

Zuo H., Park J., Frangaj A., Ye J., Lu G., Manning JJ., Asher WB., Lu Z., Hu GB., Wang L., Mendez J., Eng E., Zhang Z., Lin X., Grassucci R., Hendrickson WA., Clarke OB., Javitch JA., Conigrave AD., Fan QR. Promiscuous G-protein activation by the calcium-sensing receptor. Nature. 2024 May;629(8011):481-488. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07331-1. Epub 2024 Apr 17.