Structural insights into membrane adenylyl cyclases, initiators of cAMP signaling

Trends Biochem Sci. 2024 Feb;49(2):156-168. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2023.12.002. Epub 2023 Dec 28.

Abstract

Membrane adenylyl cyclases (ACs) catalyze the conversion of ATP to the ubiquitous second messenger cAMP. As effector proteins of G protein-coupled receptors and other signaling pathways, ACs receive and amplify signals from the cell surface, translating them into biochemical reactions in the intracellular space and integrating different signaling pathways. Despite their importance in signal transduction and physiology, our knowledge about the structure, function, regulation, and molecular interactions of ACs remains relatively scarce. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of these membrane enzymes.

Keywords: G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR); adenylyl cyclase (AC); cAMP; calmodulin; heterotrimeric G protein; signal transduction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenylyl Cyclases* / chemistry
  • Adenylyl Cyclases* / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction* / physiology

Substances

  • Adenylyl Cyclases