Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Abstract: G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are well-known therapeutic targets, and it has been demonstrated that they can signal both via guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) signaling and arrestin signaling. Dopamine (DA) and dopamine receptors, which are GPCRs, are involved in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. Notably, dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) signaling is targeted by drugs used for mental illnesses like bipolar disorder (BP) and schizophrenia (SZ). Indeed, a signaling pathway involving arrestin signaling is targeted by both lithium and antipsychotic medications. This pathway involves a modulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) by D2Rs via a complex formed of Akt (also called protein kinase B or PKB), β-arrestin 2 (βArr2) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). The aim of this project is to further elucidate this signaling pathway by studying the direct interaction between two of its components, the proteins Akt and βArr2, in view of possible drug development.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Abygael St-Pierre
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3005774147