Investigations of the roles of G protein-coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases in metabolic syndrome and cancer

The study utilizes the yeast two-hybrid system to try and unravel the molecular link between the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). The fourth melanocortin receptor (MC4R) and the angiotensin receptor AT1 are both GPCRs while the insulin receptor (IR) and the epidermal growth factor receptor subtype-2 (ErbB2) belong to the RTK family. Alteration in the functioning of MC4R receptor can cause obesity. Development of insulin resistance and diabetes is a risk factor associated with obesity. Overexpression of the ErbB2 receptor is seen in a number of breast cancers. The interaction between the AT1 and ErbB2 receptors were studied based on previous studies that have shown an interaction between the epidermal and angiotensin receptors. Thus, Interactions between the MC4R and the IR, and that between the AT1 and ErbB2 receptors were studied for their possible roles in metabolic syndrome and cancer