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Principles of cell signaling - UT Southwestern

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39057_ch14_<strong>cell</strong>bio.qxd 8/28/06 5:11 PM Page 618<br />

-strand repeats that form a cylindrical structure<br />

known as a propeller. There are five Gβ genes<br />

in mammals. Four encode strikingly similar proteins<br />

that naturally dimerize with the twelve Gγ<br />

subunits (Figure 14.24). The fifth, Gβ5, is less<br />

closely related to the others and interacts primarily<br />

with a Gγ-like domain in other proteins rather<br />

than with Gγ subunits themselves.<br />

Gγ subunits are smaller (~7 kDa) and far<br />

more diverse in sequence than are the Gβ’s. The<br />

last three amino acid residues <strong>of</strong> Gγ subunits<br />

are proteolyzed to leave a conserved C-terminal<br />

cysteine that is irreversibly S-prenylated<br />

and carboxymethylated, helping to anchor Gβγ<br />

to the membrane. Gβ and Gγ subunits can associate<br />

in most possible combinations. Because<br />

almost all <strong>cell</strong>s express multiple Gβ and Gγ subunits,<br />

it has been difficult to assign specific roles<br />

to individual Gβγ combinations. The best recognized<br />

interactions <strong>of</strong> Gβγ subunits occur at<br />

sites on Gβ, although distinct functions <strong>of</strong> Gγ<br />

have also been supported.<br />

14.21<br />

Heterotrimeric G proteins<br />

regulate a wide variety <strong>of</strong><br />

effectors<br />

Key concepts<br />

• G proteins convey signals by regulating the<br />

activities <strong>of</strong> multiple intra<strong>cell</strong>ular <strong>signaling</strong><br />

proteins known as effectors.<br />

• Effectors are structurally and functionally diverse.<br />

• A common G-protein binding domain has not been<br />

identified among effector proteins.<br />

• Effector proteins integrate signals from multiple G<br />

protein pathways.<br />

G protein-regulated effectors include enzymes<br />

that create or destroy intra<strong>cell</strong>ular second<br />

messengers (adenylyl cyclase, cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase,<br />

phospholipase C-β, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase),<br />

protein kinases, ion channels<br />

(K+, Ca2+) and possibly membrane transport<br />

proteins (see Figure 14.25). Effectors may be<br />

integral membrane proteins or intrinsically soluble<br />

proteins that bind G proteins at the membrane<br />

surface. No conserved G protein-binding<br />

domain or sequence motif has been identified<br />

among effector proteins, and most effectors are<br />

related to proteins that have similar functions<br />

but that are not regulated by G proteins.<br />

Sensitivity to G protein regulation, thus, evolved<br />

independently in multiple families <strong>of</strong> regulatory<br />

proteins.<br />

Because they can respond to a variety <strong>of</strong><br />

Gα and Gβγ subunits, effector proteins can integrate<br />

signals from multiple G protein pathways.<br />

The different Gα or Gβγ subunits may<br />

have opposite or synergistic effects on a given<br />

effector. For example, some <strong>of</strong> the membranebound<br />

adenylyl cyclases in mammals are stimulated<br />

by Gα s<br />

and inhibited by Gα i<br />

(see Figure<br />

14.13). Many effectors are further regulated by<br />

other allosteric ligands (e.g., lipids, calmodulin)<br />

and by phosphorylation, contributing even more<br />

to integration <strong>of</strong> information.<br />

Effectors are usually represented as multiple<br />

is<strong>of</strong>orms, and each is<strong>of</strong>orm may be regulated<br />

differently, adding to the complexity <strong>of</strong> G<br />

protein networks. For example, some is<strong>of</strong>orms<br />

<strong>of</strong> adenylyl cyclase are stimulated by Gβγ,<br />

whereas others are inhibited. All phospholipase<br />

C-βs are stimulated both by Gα q<br />

family members<br />

and by Gβγ, but the potency and maximal<br />

effect <strong>of</strong> these two inputs vary dramatically<br />

among the four PLC-β is<strong>of</strong>orms.<br />

14.22<br />

Heterotrimeric G proteins<br />

are controlled by a<br />

regulatory GTPase cycle<br />

Key concepts<br />

• Heterotrimeric G proteins are activated when the<br />

Gα subunit binds GTP.<br />

• GTP hydrolysis to GDP inactivates the G protein.<br />

• GTP hydrolysis is slow, but is accelerated by<br />

proteins called GAPs.<br />

• Receptors promote activation by allowing GDP<br />

dissociation and GTP association; spontaneous<br />

exchange is very slow.<br />

• RGS proteins and phospholipase C-βs are GAPs for<br />

G proteins.<br />

The key event in heterotrimeric G protein <strong>signaling</strong><br />

is the binding <strong>of</strong> GTP to the Gα subunit.<br />

GTP binding activates the Gα subunit, which<br />

allows both it and the Gβγ subunit to bind and<br />

regulate effectors. The Gα subunit remains active<br />

as long as GTP is bound, but Gα also has<br />

GTPase activity and hydrolyzes bound GTP to<br />

GDP. Gα-GDP is inactive. G proteins thus traverse<br />

a GTPase cycle <strong>of</strong> GTP binding/activation and hydrolysis/deactivation,<br />

as depicted in FIGURE 14.26.<br />

Therefore, the control <strong>of</strong> G protein <strong>signaling</strong> is<br />

intrinsically kinetic. The relative signal strength,<br />

or amplitude, is proportional to the fraction <strong>of</strong><br />

G protein that is in the active, GTP-bound form.<br />

This fraction equals the balance <strong>of</strong> the rates <strong>of</strong><br />

GTP binding and GTP hydrolysis, the activating<br />

618 CHAPTER 14 <strong>Principles</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>cell</strong> <strong>signaling</strong>

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