Résumé
This chapter discusses the dynamics of palmitoylation of G-protein-coupled receptors in eukaryotic cells. Studying the dynamics of receptor palmitoylation is essential for elucidating the role of the modification in regulating signaling. Acylation of the G-protein subunits and regulatory kinases plays an important role in the targeting to proper membrane locations and may influence the ability to form functional multimeric complexes. For the receptors that are integral membrane proteins composed of seven transmembrane domains, palmitoylation is proposed to promote the formation of an additional cytoplasmic loop. It affects the coupling, phosphorylation, and even internalization of some receptors. Palmitoylation is truly posttranslational rather than cotranslational, and is reversible. This suggests the possibility of regulatory cycles of palmitoylation–depalmitoylation that may be involved in signal transduction.