Remarkably, while G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are highly prevalent in animals and yeast, very few candidate GPCRs have been identified in plants. In G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling in Plants: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field describe techniques used in the study of small GTPases and related proteins. Beginning with a chapter on bioinformatics approaches for GPCR discovery, this detailed volume continues with chapters on heterotrimeric G protein subunits, Rab-GTPases, as well as lipid modifications, including myristoylation, acylation, and prenylation. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and dependable, G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling in Plants: Methods and Protocols aims to aid further studies into the roles of small GTPases which will help elucidate numerous key processes in plants.

This volume focuses on the structure, function and regulation of plant signaling G proteins and their function in hormonal pathways, polarity, differentiation, morphogenesis and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Plants are sessile organisms that need to continuously coordinate between external and internal cues. This coordination requires the existence of hubs to allow cross-talk between different signaling pathways. A single family of Rho GTPases, termed either ROPS or RACs, and heterotrimeric G proteins have emerged as the major molecular switches in a multitude of signal transduction pathway in plants.

This detailed volume assembles comprehensive protocols to assist with the study of structural, molecular, cell biological, and in vivo facets of GPCRs, and to enable the development of experimental tools for screening novel GPCR drugs. Sections explore the tweaking of ligands, bioluminescence and FRET approaches, specific GPCR signaling properties, as well as visualization of subcellular compartmentalization. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal reference for life scientists working in a variety of research fields including molecular pharmacology, cell and developmental biology, brain behavior and physiology, drug development and screening. Chapter 4 is available open access under a CC BY 4.0 license via link.springer.com.

In the recent years, studies based on two-hybrid screens, proteomic, biochemical and cell biology approaches, have shown that intracellular domains of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) or heptaspanning membrane receptors (HSMRs) interact with intracellular proteins. These interactions are the basis of a protein network associated to these receptors which includes scaffolding proteins containing one or several PDZ (post-synaptic density-95, discs large, zona occludens-1) domains, signalling proteins and proteins of the cytoskeleton. The present book is focused on the emerging evidence for interactions of G protein-coupled receptors with scaffolding, cytoskeletal and signalling proteins that will play a role in the targeting, anchoring and functioning of these receptors in the plasma membrane, thus contributing to cell development and plasticity.

G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Part A, Volume 193 in the Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science series, highlights new advances in the field. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest class of cell surface proteins with an intricate involvement of nearly every physiological process in our body. Approximately, one third of the clinically prescribed medicines target GPCRs and the quest to improve the exiting GPCR-targeting therapeutics continues. These two volumes are focused on activation, signaling and regulation of GPCRs with specific examples of receptor systems and cellular processes. Covers a broad range of topics related to GPCR activation and signaling Covers several receptor systems with an emphasis on emerging paradigms Covers different processes and model systems with a focus on GPCRs

Sequencing projects have revealed the presence of at least several hundred receptor kinases in a typical plant genome. Receptor kinases are therefore the largest family of primary signal transducers in plants, and their abundance suggests an immense signaling network that we have only just begun to uncover. Recent research findings indicate that individual receptor kinases fulfill important roles in growth and development, in the recognition of pathogens and symbionts or, in a few examples, in both growth and defense. This volume will focus on the roles of receptor kinases, their signaling pathways, and the ways in which these important signaling proteins are regulated.

G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Part B, Volume 195 represents the largest class of cell H103 surface proteins that have intricate involvement in nearly every physiological process in our body. Approximately one third of the clinically prescribed medicines target GPCRs and the quest to improve the exiting GPCR-targeting therapeutics continues. Sections in this volume include Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors: Structure and functions, Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying brain region-specific cannabinoid receptor modulation by estradiol across the rodent estrus cycle, Probing the orphan receptors: Tools and directions, Asymmetric activation of Class C GPCRs, Common and selective signal transduction mechanisms of GPCRs, and much more. Covers a broad range of topics related to GPCR activation and signaling Provides several receptor systems, with an emphasis on emerging paradigms Includes different processes and model systems, with a focus on GPCRs