Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15, 1112-1142; doi:10.3390/ijms15011112 OPEN ACCESS International Journal of Molecular Sciences ISSN 1422-0067 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms Review G Protein-Coupled Receptors: What a Difference a ‘Partner’ Makes Benoît T. Roux 1 and Graeme S. Cottrell 2,* 1 Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK; E-Mail:
[email protected] 2 Reading School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6UB, UK * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
[email protected]; Tel.: +44-118-378-7027; Fax: +44-118-378-4703. Received: 4 December 2013; in revised form: 20 December 2013 / Accepted: 8 January 2014 / Published: 16 January 2014 Abstract: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are important cell signaling mediators, involved in essential physiological processes. GPCRs respond to a wide variety of ligands from light to large macromolecules, including hormones and small peptides. Unfortunately, mutations and dysregulation of GPCRs that induce a loss of function or alter expression can lead to disorders that are sometimes lethal. Therefore, the expression, trafficking, signaling and desensitization of GPCRs must be tightly regulated by different cellular systems to prevent disease. Although there is substantial knowledge regarding the mechanisms that regulate the desensitization and down-regulation of GPCRs, less is known about the mechanisms that regulate the trafficking and cell-surface expression of newly synthesized GPCRs. More recently, there is accumulating evidence that suggests certain GPCRs are able to interact with specific proteins that can completely change their fate and function. These interactions add on another level of regulation and flexibility between different tissue/cell-types.