1. Winston Sanders

2.   Mu Opioid Receptor (MOR)  Stimulus Trafficking What if the unwanted side effects of a drug could be diminished while its medicinal effects amplified?

3.   7-transmembrane protein  G-protein: Heterotrimeric G-protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR)

4.  Bordetela pertussis toxin (PTX) -rendered PTX-sensitive Ga (subunit) proteins unresponsive to GPCR activation -allowing focused aim towards specific PTX-insensitive mutant Ga proteins -Interferes with natural communication b/w GPCR and G-protein -Ineffective Mechanism Examining the Pathways

5.  The Experiment Inactive Active!

6.   How could desired pathway be identified?  Interaction of the Xanthine Nucleotide Binding Goa Mutant with G Protein-coupled Receptors  Double Mutant GoaX The Experiment (con’t)

7.  What were results of GoaX when compared to wild-type a-subunit? Activates in same manner! GoaX conserves natural responses The Experiment (con’t)

8.   Use GoaX xanthine binding Ga subunits as efficient indicators  Individually transfect specific X-mutant Ga subtypes with the receptor of interest (MOR)  Successfully study individual activation pathways Future Hopes