Making useful gadgets with miniaturized G proteins

Abstract

G protein– coupled receptors (GPCRs) relay information from extracellular stimuli to intracellular responses in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes, but understanding their complex effects in live cells is a daunting task. In this issue of JBC, Wan et al. repurpose “mini G proteins”—previously used as affinity tools for structural studies—to develop a suite of probes to visualize GPCR activation in live cells. The approach is expected to revolutionize our understanding of the spatiotemporal control and mechanisms of GPCR signaling.