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Gq/11 Protein

Meaning

The Gq/11 protein is a specific type of heterotrimeric G protein that acts as a crucial molecular switch, linking activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) on the cell surface to various intracellular signaling pathways. As a transducer, it plays a vital role in endocrinology by mediating the cellular responses to numerous hormones and neurotransmitters, including those involved in smooth muscle contraction, glandular secretion, and metabolic regulation. Its function is to initiate a cascade of internal biochemical events upon receiving an external hormonal signal.