M. Stacey et al., LNB-TM7, a group of seven-transmembrane proteins related to family-B G-protein-coupled receptors, TRENDS BIOC, 25(6), 2000, pp. 284-289
A number of unusual seven-transmembrane molecules have recently been charac
terized that have significant amino acid sequence similarity within the mem
brane-spanning hydrophobic regions and intervening loops to members of G-pr
otein-coupled receptor family B. However, in contrast to the family-B G-pro
tein-coupled receptors, these molecules have unusually large N-terminal ext
racellular domains that contain a number of well-characterized protein modu
les. The range of cell types expressing these complex molecules and their p
otential roles in cell adhesion and signalling have become a major focus of
research in a number of biological systems.