Investigating cell surface receptor dimerization using single-molecule super-resolution microscopy

Cell surface receptors, such as the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), play central roles signalling pathways. Due to their central role in regulating a wide range of physiological processes, membrane protein receptors are often altered in disease, with ~34% of FDA approved drugs targeting GPCRs alone. Dimerization and oligomerization of multiple receptors plays an important role in their function. For some receptors, dimerization is essential for its function, while for others it is a way to increase signalling diversity. Super-resolution microscopy techniques allow a level of resolution beyond traditional diffraction-limited light microscopy techniques. This allows the locations of individual membrane receptors and the oligomeric state of the receptor on the cell surface to be accurately determined. In this talk I will outline the super-resolution microscopy techniques used to study receptor di/oligomerization. This will focus on work on the D2 dopamine GPCR an example, where super-resolution microscopy was used to investigate differences in receptor oligomerization between mutant receptors.

Learning Objectives –

• Outline the importance of membrane receptors and the role of di/oligomerization in their function.
• Discuss the benefits of single-molecule super-resolution microscopy techniques.
• Demonstrate the use of single molecule super-resolution microscopy to study membrane receptor di/oligomerization, highlighting work on the D2 dopamine receptor.

 

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**This offer is available only to members of the Aspire Member Program in the US and Canada (excluding Quebec). Healthcare professionals are not eligible to participate in the Member Program. The Aspire program will award 500 bonus points for successfully attending this webinar. Determination of attendance will be at the sole discretion of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Please allow 10 business days for bonus points to credit to your account. Cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. All terms, conditions, and restrictions of the Aspire program apply. View them here.