cAMP as second messenger in GPCR signal transduction

hplc · Post by **hplc** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:31 pm

cAMP as second messenger in GPCR signal transduction

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Post by hplc » Sun Feb 15, 2009 12:31 pm

Hello.

I'm currently reading about the signal transduction from G protein-coupled receptors in relation to the cAMP second messenger. But after this chapter, in every example of signal transduction, the book uses cAMP as a second messenger and activator of protein kinase A. They do this for the rest of the book. Not only in the chapter I'm currently reading.

Does this mean that cAMP is the only sencond messenger we have, or is it used only in GPCR signal transduction? Or how does it work?

Thank you.

MrMistery · Post by **MrMistery** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:13 pm

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Post by MrMistery » Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:13 pm

cAMP is definitely not the only second messenger we have. other examples include cGMP and Calcium ions.
And no, GPCRs do relay the message solely through cAMP, they can, as I remember, activate phospholipase C and guanynyl cyclase as well.

"As a biologist, I firmly believe that when you're dead, you're dead. Except for what you live behind in history. That's the only afterlife" - J. Craig Venter