▪ Abstract G protein–coupled receptors (GPRs) play a key role in controlling hormonal
regulation of numerous second-messenger pathways. However, following agonist activation …

Chemotaxis, the directed migration of cells in chemical gradients, is a vital process in normal
physiology and in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Chemotactic cells display motility …

Homologous or agonist-specific desensitization of β-adrenergic receptors is thought to be
mediated by a specific kinase, the β-adrenergic receptor kinase (βARK). However, recent …

Receptor-mediated activation of heterotrimeric GTP–binding proteins (G-proteins) was
visualized in living Dictyostelium discoideum cells by monitoring fluorescence resonance …

Cells have an internal compass that enables them to move along shallow chemical
gradients. As amoeboid cells migrate, signaling events such as Ras and PI3K activation …

The β-adrenergic receptor kinase (β-ARK), which specifically phosphorylates only the
agonist-occupied form of the β-adrenergic and closely related receptors, appears to be …

Signalling is one of the key processes in biological systems. It enables communication
within a single cell as well as among the many cells in higher organisms. Specialized …

The cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum undergoes a transition from single-celled
amoebae to a multicellular organism as a natural part of its life cycle. A method of cell-cell …

During the early stages of its developmental program, Dictyostelium discoideum expresses
cell surface cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) receptors. It has been suggested …

In recent years, mathematical modelling of developmental processes has earned new
respect. Not only have mathematical models been used to validate hypotheses made from …