cAMP-dependent pathway. Molecular model of dopamine binding to a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and triggering a signalling cascade. The binding of dopamine causes the alpha subunit of the G-protein to exchange its bound molecule of GDP (guanosine triphosphate) for a molecule of GTP (guanosine triphosphate) and to be released from the GPCR. The G-alpha subunit binds to the enzyme adenylyl cyclase, activating it. Adenylyl cyclase catalyses the conversion of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and pyrophosphate (PPi). cAMP regulates numerous cell functions. For a version of this image without labels see F032/8003.
