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10 OKTOBER 2012 Scientific Background on the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012 S T U D I E S O F G-P RO T E I N – COUPLED R ECEP TORS THE ROYAL SWEDISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES has as its aim to promote the sciences and strengthen their influence in society. BOX 50005 (LILLA FRESCATIVÄGEN 4 A), SE-104 05 STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN Nobel Prize® and the Nobel Prize® medal design mark TEL +46 8 673 95 00, INFO@KVA.SE  HTTP ://KVA.SE are registrated trademarks of the Nobel Foundation G-protein–coupled receptors The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2012 is awarded to Brian K. Kobilka and Robert J. Lefkowitzfor studies of G-protein –coupled receptors. G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) form a remarkable modular system that allows transmission of a wide variety of signals over the cell membrane, between cells and over long distances in the body. Today, we understand the molecular mechanism of how these receptors work in intricate detail, in large part because of the studies by Kobilka and Lefkowitz. Background Every human cell is surrounded by a plasma membrane, a phospholipid bilayer. The membrane makes it possible for the cell to maintain a specific mix of biochemically active species, while preventing unwanted entry of other substances from the outside environment. For proper function, the biochemical machinery inside a cell needs to be able to receive instructions from the outside. Changes in hormone levels on the outside of the cell elicit adaptive changes in enzyme activity on the inside. Odour molecules affect cells in the olfactory epithelium and substances in the food influence chemical activities in tastebud cells, whi