Receptor-effector coupling by G-proteins implications for endocrinology.

Discovered serendipitously in the course of studies on the mechanism of glucagon stimulation of hepatic cyclic AMP formation, G-proteins have emerged as an expanding family of signal transducers, coupling diverse receptors and effectors. Quantitative and/or qualitative changes in G-proteins may profoundly affect hormone action, and can lead to clinically apparent endocrine dysfunction.