Mammalian G Proteins and Their Cell Type Specific Functions

Heterotrimeric G proteins are key players in transmembrane signaling by coupling a huge variety of receptors to channel proteins, enzymes, and other effector molecules. Multiple subforms of G proteins together with receptors, effectors, and various regulatory proteins represent the components of a highly versatile signal transduction system. G protein-mediated signaling is employed by virtually all cells in the mammalian organism and is centrally involved in diverse physiological functions such as perception of sensory information, modulation of synaptic transmission, hormone release and actions, regulation of cell contraction and migration, or cell growth and differentiation. In this review, some of the functions of heterotrimeric G proteins in defined cells and tissues are described.

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Chemotactic Signaling Pathways in Neutrophils: from Receptor to Actin Assembly

Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine ◽

10.1177/154411130201300302 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 220-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

Gregor Cicchetti ◽

Philip G. Allen ◽

Michael Glogauer

Keyword(s):

G Proteins ◽

Neutrophil Function ◽

Small Gtpases ◽

Regulatory Proteins ◽

Heterotrimeric G Proteins ◽

Actin Assembly ◽

Receptor Ligand ◽

Downstream Effectors ◽

Ligand Interactions ◽

Rho Family

In this review, we present an overview of the signaling elements between neutrophil chemotactic receptors and the actin cytoskeleton that drives cell motility. From receptor-ligand interactions, activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins, their downstream effectors PLC and PI-3 kinase, the activation of small GTPases of the Rho family, and their regulation of particular cytoskeletal regulatory proteins, we describe pathways specific to the chemotaxing neutrophil and elements documented to be important for neutrophil function.

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The Emerging Role of Gβ Subunits in Human Genetic Diseases

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells8121567 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 1567

Author(s):

Natascia Malerba ◽

Pasquelena De Nittis ◽

Giuseppe Merla

Keyword(s):

G Protein ◽

G Proteins ◽

Genetic Diseases ◽

Whole Exome ◽

Gamma Subunits ◽

Genes Encoding ◽

Cell Growth And Differentiation ◽

And Migration ◽

G Protein Coupled

Environmental stimuli are perceived and transduced inside the cell through the activation of signaling pathways. One common type of cell signaling transduction network is initiated by G-proteins. G-proteins are activated by G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and transmit signals from hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling factors, thus controlling a number of biological processes that include synaptic transmission, visual photoreception, hormone and growth factors release, regulation of cell contraction and migration, as well as cell growth and differentiation. G-proteins mainly act as heterotrimeric complexes, composed of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. In the last few years, whole exome sequencing and biochemical studies have shown causality of disease-causing variants in genes encoding G-proteins and human genetic diseases. This review focuses on the G-protein β subunits and their emerging role in the etiology of genetically inherited rare diseases in humans.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION. Structural basis for nucleotide exchange in heterotrimeric G proteins.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.725571385.793507860 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Bert de Groot

Keyword(s):

Signal Transduction ◽

G Proteins ◽

Structural Basis ◽

Heterotrimeric G Proteins ◽

Nucleotide Exchange

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Heterotrimeric G-proteins

Encyclopedic Reference of Molecular Pharmacology ◽

10.1007/3-540-29832-0_761 ◽

2006 ◽

pp. 451-451

Keyword(s):

G Proteins ◽

Heterotrimeric G Proteins

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Olfactory desensitization requires membrane targeting of receptor kinase mediated by beta gamma-subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins.

Journal of Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1016/s0021-9258(17)42306-4 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 269 (1) ◽

pp. 37-40

Author(s):

I. Boekhoff ◽

J. Inglese ◽

S. Schleicher ◽

W.J. Koch ◽

R.J. Lefkowitz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

G Proteins ◽

Membrane Targeting ◽

Heterotrimeric G Proteins ◽

Receptor Kinase ◽

Gamma Subunits

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Every Detail Matters. That Is, How the Interaction between Gα Proteins and Membrane Affects Their Function

Membranes ◽

10.3390/membranes11030222 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 222

Author(s):

Agnieszka Polit ◽

Paweł Mystek ◽

Ewa Błasiak

Keyword(s):

Signal Transduction ◽

G Protein ◽

G Proteins ◽

Lipid Membranes ◽

Signaling Proteins ◽

Heterotrimeric G Proteins ◽

Membrane Attachment ◽

The Individual ◽

Multicellular Organisms ◽

G Protein Coupled

In highly organized multicellular organisms such as humans, the functions of an individual cell are dependent on signal transduction through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and subsequently heterotrimeric G proteins. As most of the elements belonging to the signal transduction system are bound to lipid membranes, researchers are showing increasing interest in studying the accompanying protein–lipid interactions, which have been demonstrated to not only provide the environment but also regulate proper and efficient signal transduction. The mode of interaction between the cell membrane and G proteins is well known. Despite this, the recognition mechanisms at the molecular level and how the individual G protein-membrane attachment signals are interrelated in the process of the complex control of membrane targeting of G proteins remain unelucidated. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which mammalian Gα subunits of G proteins interact with lipids and the factors responsible for the specificity of membrane association. We summarize recent data on how these signaling proteins are precisely targeted to a specific site in the membrane region by introducing well-defined modifications as well as through the presence of polybasic regions within these proteins and interactions with other components of the heterocomplex.

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