Phosphorylation and desensitization of the pancreatic cholecystokinin-A receptor.

The eukaryotic cell uses a variety of mechanisms to protect itself from overstimulation. Among these mechanisms are processes involving the receptor, including uncoupling from G proteins and movement into cellular compartments. Here, we focus on mechanisms by which the pancreatic acinar cell protects itself from overstimulation through the cholecystokinin receptor with special emphasis on the role of receptor phosphorylation.