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AAT Bioquest

What are the differences between G protein coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases?

Posted September 27, 2023


Answer

Basis of differentiation

GPCRs

RTK

Definition

Is a type of cell surface receptor that has seven transmembrane domains

Is a type of enzyme-linked cell surface receptor that has 2 monomers and consists of a single transmembrane domain

Energy molecule

Uses GTP as its energy source

Uses ATP as its energy source

Linked enzymes

None

Enzyme kinases

Single ligand binding

Ligand binding induces only one cell response

Ligand binding induces multiple cell responses

Cell signaling pathways

GPCRs typically activate intracellular signaling pathways via G proteins and second messengers

RTKS normally activate intracellular signaling pathways via phosphorylation  (when adaptor proteins or protein kinases attach to phospho tyrosines on the RTK molecule) 

Additional resources

G-protein coupled receptor, PI3K and Rho signaling pathways regulate the cascades of Tau and amyloid-β in Alzheimer’s disease

G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCR)

Cell Meter™ Beta-Arrestin Translocation GPCR Signaling Kit