Editing Adenylyl cyclase (section)

==== Structure ====
[[Image:Adenylyl cyclase.png|thumb|Structure of adenylyl cyclase]]
Most class III adenylyl cyclases are transmembrane [[protein]]s with 12 transmembrane segments. The protein is organized with 6 transmembrane segments, then the C1 cytoplasmic domain, then another 6 membrane segments, and then a second cytoplasmic domain called C2. The important parts for function are the N-terminus and the C1 and C2 regions. The C1a and C2a subdomains are homologous and form an intramolecular 'dimer' that forms the active site. In ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' and many other bacterial cases,  the AC-III polypeptide is only half as long, comprising one 6-transmembrane domain followed by a cytoplasmic domain, but two of these form a functional homodimer that resembles the mammalian architecture with two active sites. In non-animal class III ACs, the catalytic cytoplasmic domain is seen associated with other (not necessarily transmembrane) domains.<ref name="pmid14575863">{{cite journal | vauthors = Linder JU, Schultz JE | title = The class III adenylyl cyclases: multi-purpose signalling modules | journal = Cellular Signalling | volume = 15 | issue = 12 | pages = 1081–1089 | date = December 2003 | pmid = 14575863 | doi = 10.1016/s0898-6568(03)00130-x }}</ref>

Class III adenylyl cyclase domains can be further divided into four subfamilies, termed class IIIa through IIId. Animal membrane-bound ACs belong to class IIIa.<ref name="pmid14575863"/>{{rp|1087}}