To understand how a signaling pathway work it often is usefu

To understand how a signaling pathway work, it often is useful to isolate the cell-surface receptor and to measure the activity of downstream effector proteins under different conditions. How could you use affinity chromatograph to isolate a cell - surface receptor? Bonus: With what techniques could you measure the amount of activated G protein (the GTP-bound form) in ligand stimulated cells? Describe the approach you would take.

Solution

A cell surface receptor can be isolated using affinity chromatography by immobilizing the ligand into the matrix, Hence in a crude sample of proteins the receptor protein will bind to the matrix and under denaturing condition for its binding the receptor can be eluted in wash buffer. Thus a cell surface receptor protein can be isolated using affinity chromatography.