Abstract
The structure, function, and dynamics of canonical activation of heterotrimeric G proteins by the seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been illustrated in detail. However, emerging studies during the past decade have started to shed light on how the same G proteins may also be accessed and modulated by a diverse family of receptors that are not conventional GPCRs. Can we learn about common themes and variations in how cells assemble these atypical GPCRs?