435 REVIEW Dimerization and oligomerization of G-protein-coupled receptors: debated structures with established and emerging functions La´szlo´ Szidonya1, Miklo´s Cserzo˝ 1 and La´szlo´ Hunyady1,2 1Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, PO Box 259, H-1444 Budapest, Hungary 2Laboratory for Neurobiochemistry and Molecular Physiology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, H-1444 Budapest, Hungary (Correspondence should be addressed to L Hunyady; Email:
[email protected]) Abstract Dimerization or oligomerization of G-protein-coupled homo- or heterodimeric or oligomeric complexes, in which receptors (GPCRs) is a novel concept, which may lead to receptor monomers have stable direct interactions. However, the reevaluation of the actions of pharmacological ligands, overwhelming amounts of data suggest that many GPCRs hormones, neurotransmitters, and other mediators acting on exhibit functional properties that require direct or indirect GPCRs. Although a large number of data obtained using interactions between clustered receptors. Although it is different biophysical, biochemical and structural methods, difficult to conclude, about the exact nature of these and functional approaches argue for dimerization or interactions, dimerization or oligomerization of GPCRs is a oligomerization of these receptors, several publications useful paradigm for pharmacologists to study properties of criticized the applied methods and challenged the concept. receptors, which require functionally important clustering of The aim of this paper is to review the data that support the receptors, such as trafficking of newly synthesized receptors to concept of receptor oligomerization, and the most important the cell surface, allosteric modulation of ligand binding, arguments against it. We conclude that it will require major signaling specificity, co-internalization, or cross-inhibition of methodical improvements to obtain decisive proof, whether GPCRs.