Mechanism
The mechanism of homologous desensitization is as follows (using the β2 receptor as an example):
- Agonist binds and activates receptor which changes to an active conformational state.
- Beta adrenergic receptor kinase (BARK), a cytoplasmic kinase is activated and phosphorylates the C-terminus of the β2 receptor.
- Such phosphorylation increases the affinity of β-arrestin for the receptor, resulting in uncoupling of the α subunit of the heterotrimeric G-protein from the receptor producing desensitization.
Read more about this topic: Homologous Desensitization
Famous quotes containing the word mechanism:
“A mechanism of some kind stands between us and almost every act of our lives.”
—Sarah Patton Boyle, U.S. civil rights activist and author. The Desegregated Heart, part 3, ch. 2 (1962)
“The law isn’t justice. It’s a very imperfect mechanism. If you press exactly the right buttons and are also lucky, justice may show up in the answer. A mechanism is all the law was ever intended to be.”
—Raymond Chandler (1888–1959)
“Life is an offensive, directed against the repetitious mechanism of the Universe.”
—Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947)