G Protein

This book provides an overview of recent techniques employed in the field of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to screen for new drugs and to derive information about their receptor structure, dynamics, and function for the purpose of developing improved therapeutics. Sarcoendoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium transport ATPase (SERCA) is a pump that transports calcium ions from the cytoplasm into the SR. The SERCA pump is encoded by a family of three genes, SERCA1, 2 and 3, that are highly conserved but localized on different chromosomes. The function of SERCA pump is modulated by the endogenous protein phospholamban (PLB), expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Phospholamban functions as an inhibitory co factor for cardiac ATPase, because the SERCA pump plays a major role in muscle contraction, a number of investigation have focussed on understanding its role in muscle contaction and relaxation. It is Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. It serves as an ideal guide for a diverse audience from structural and molecular biologists to pharmacologists and drug designers who wish to explore this extensive class of key drug targets.