| Heterotrimeric G-protein GTPase | 
| Identifiers | 
| EC number | 3.6.5.1 | 
| CAS number | 9059-32-9 | 
| Databases | 
| IntEnz | IntEnz view | 
| BRENDA | BRENDA entry | 
| ExPASy | NiceZyme view | 
| KEGG | KEGG entry | 
| MetaCyc | metabolic pathway | 
| PRIAM | profile | 
| PDB structures | RCSB PDB PDBe PDBsum | 
| Gene Ontology | AmiGO / EGO | 
| 
| Search |  
| PMC | articles |  
| PubMed | articles |  
| NCBI | proteins |  | 
This heterotrimeric G protein is illustrated with its theoretical lipid anchors. GDP is black. Alpha chain is yellow. Beta and gamma chains are blue.
 
 
 
3D structure of a heterotrimeric G protein
 
 
 
"G protein" usually refers to the membrane-associated heterotrimeric G proteins, sometimes referred to as the "large" G proteins (as opposed to the subclass of smaller, monomeric small GTPases) . These proteins are activated by G protein-coupled receptors and are made up of alpha (α), beta (β) and gamma (γ) subunits,[1] the latter two referred to as the beta-gamma complex.
There are four main families of G proteins: Gi/Go, Gq, Gs, and G12.[2]
Contents
- 1 Alpha subunits
- 2 Beta-gamma complex
- 3 References
- 4 External links
 
Alpha subunits
Main article: G alpha subunit
Reconstitution experiments carried out in the early 1980s showed that purified Gα subunits can directly activate effector enzymes. The GTP form of the α subunit of transducin (Gt) activates the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase from retinal rod outer segments,[3] and the GTP form of the α subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gs) activates hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase.[4][5]
Gα subunits consist of two domains, the GTPase domain, and the alpha-helical domain.
There exist at least 20 different Gα subunits, which are separated into four main families. This nomenclature is based on their sequence homologies:[6]
| G-protein-family | α-subunit | Gene | Signal transduction | Use/Receptors (examples) | Effects (examples) | 
| Gi-family | 
| Gi/o | αi, αo | GNAO1, GNAI1, GNAI2, GNAI3 | Inhibition of adenylate cyclase, opens K+-channels (via β/γ subunits), closes Ca2+-channels | Muscarinic M2 and M4,[7] chemokine receptors, α2-Adrenoreceptors, Serotonin 5-HT1 receptors, Histamine H3 and H4, Dopamine D2-like receptors | Smooth muscle contraction, depress neuronal activity | 
| Gt | αt (Transducin) | GNAT1, GNAT2 | Activation of phosphodiesterase 6 | Rhodopsin | Vision | 
| Ggust | αgust (Gustducin) | GNAT3 | Activation of phosphodiesterase 6 | Taste receptors | Taste | 
| Gz | αz | GNAZ | Inhibition of adenylate cyclase | ? | Maintaining the ionic balance of perilymphatic and endolymphatic cochlear fluids. | 
| Gs-family | 
| Gs | αs | GNAS | Activation of adenylate cyclase | Beta-adrenoreceptors; Serotonin 5-HT4, 5-HT6 and 5-HT7; Dopamine D1-like receptors, Histamine H2 | Increase heart rate, Smooth muscle relaxation, stimulate neuronal activity | 
| Golf | αolf | GNAL | Activation of adenylate cyclase | olfactory receptors | Smell | 
| Gq-family | 
| Gq | αq, α11, α14, α15, α16 | GNAQ, GNA11, GNA14, GNA15 | Activation of phospholipase C | α1-Adrenoreceptors, Muscarinic M1, M3, and M5,[7] Histamine H1, Serotonin 5-HT2 receptors | Smooth muscle contraction, Ca2+ flux | 
| G12/13-family | 
| G12/13 | α12, α13 | GNA12, GNA13 | Activation of the Rho family of GTPases |  | Cytoskeletal functions, Smooth muscle contraction | 
Beta-gamma complex
Main article: Beta-gamma complex
The β and γ subunits are closely bound to one another and are referred to as the beta-gamma complex. Upon activation of the GPCR, the Gβγ complex is released from the Gα subunit after its GDP-GTP exchange.
Function
The free Gβγ complex can act as a signaling molecule itself, by activating other second messengers or by gating ion channels directly.
For example, the Gβγ complex, when bound to histamine receptors, can activate phospholipase A2. Gβγ complexes bound to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, on the other hand, directly open G protein-coupled inward rectifying potassium channels (GIRKs). They can also activate L-type calcium channels, as in H3 receptor pharmacology.
References
- ^ Hurowitz EH, Melnyk JM, Chen YJ, Kouros-Mehr H, Simon MI, Shizuya H; Melnyk; Chen; Kouros-Mehr; Simon; Shizuya (2000). "Genomic characterization of the human heterotrimeric G protein alpha, beta, and gamma subunit genes". DNA Res. 7 (2): 111–20. doi:10.1093/dnares/7.2.111. PMID 10819326.  
- ^ Ellis, Claire (Jul 2004). "The state of GPCR research in 2004". Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (3 ed.). 3 (7): 577–626. doi:10.1038/nrd1458. 
- ^ Fung, BKK; Hurley, JB; Stryer, L (1981). "Flow of information in the light-triggered cyclic nucleotide cascade of vision". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 78 (1): 152–156. doi:10.1073/pnas.78.1.152. PMC 319009. PMID 6264430. 
- ^ Cerione, RA; Sibley, DR; Codina, J; Benovic, JL; Winslow, J; Neer, EJ; Birnbaumer, L; Caron, MG; Lefkowitz, RJ; et al. (1984). "Reconstitution of a hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase system. The pure beta-adrenergic receptor and guanine nucleotide regulatory protein confer hormone responsiveness on the resolved catalytic unit". J. Biol. Chem. 259 (16): 9979–9982. PMID 6088509.  
- ^ May, DC; Ross, EM; Gilman, AG; Smigel, MD (1985). "Reconstitution of catecholamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity using three purified proteins". J. Biol. Chem. 260 (29): 15829–15833. PMID 2999139. 
- ^ Strathmann MP, Simon MI; Simon (1991). "G alpha 12 and G alpha 13 subunits define a fourth class of G protein alpha subunits". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88 (13): 5582–6. doi:10.1073/pnas.88.13.5582. PMC 51921. PMID 1905812. 
- ^ a b Kou Qin, Chunmin Dong, Guangyu Wu & Nevin A Lambert; Dong; Wu; Lambert (August 2011). "Inactive-state preassembly of Gq-coupled receptors and Gq heterotrimers". Nature Chemical Biology. 7 (11): 740–747. doi:10.1038/nchembio.642. PMC 3177959. PMID 21873996.  
 
External links
- Heterotrimeric G-Proteins at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
- EC 3.6.5.1
| Intracellular signaling peptides and proteins | 
|  | 
| MAP |  | 
|  | 
| Calcium | 
Intracellular calcium-sensing proteinsCalcineurinCa2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase | 
|  | 
| G protein | 
| Heterotrimeric | 
| cAMP: | 
Heterotrimeric G protein
Adenylate cyclasecAMP3',5'-cyclic-AMP phosphodiesteraseProtein kinase A |  
|  |  
| cGMP: | 
TransducinGustducinGuanylate cyclasecGMP3',5'-cyclic-GMP phosphodiesteraseProtein kinase G |  
|  |  
| 
G alpha subunit Gα
GNAO1GNAI1GNAI2GNAI3GNAT1GNAT2GNAT3GNAZGNASGNALGNAQGNA11GNA12GNA13GNA14GNA15/GNA16 |  
|  |  
| 
G beta-gamma complex Gβ
Gγ
GNGT1GNGT2GNG2GNG3GNG4GNG5GNG7GNG8GNG10GNG11GNG12GNG13BSCL2 |  
|  |  
| 
G protein-coupled receptor kinaseAMP-activated protein kinase |  |  
|  |  
| Monomeric | 
ARFsRabsRas
RhosArfsRanRhebsRapsRGKs |  | 
|  | 
| Cyclin | 
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor proteinCyclin-dependent kinaseCyclin | 
|  | 
| Lipid | 
Phosphoinositide phospholipase CPhospholipase C | 
|  | 
| Other protein kinase | 
| Serine/threonine: | 
Casein kinase
eIF-2 kinase
Glycogen synthase kinase
GSK1GSK2GSK-3GSK3AGSK3BIκB kinase
Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase
Lim kinase
p21-activated kinases
Rho-associated protein kinase
Ribosomal s6 kinase
 |  
|  |  
| Tyrosine: | 
ZAP70Focal adhesion protein-tyrosine kinase
BTK |  
|  |  
| both |  |  | 
|  | 
| Other protein phosphatase | 
| Serine/threonine: |  |  
|  |  
| Tyrosine: | 
protein tyrosine phosphatase: Receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphataseSh2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase |  
|  |  
| both: | 
Dual-specificity phosphatase |  | 
|  | 
| Apoptosis | 
see apoptosis signaling pathway | 
|  | 
| GTP-binding protein regulators | 
see GTP-binding protein regulators | 
|  | 
| Other | 
Activating transcription factor 6Signal transducing adaptor proteinI-kappa B proteinMucin-4Olfactory marker proteinPhosphatidylethanolamine binding proteinEDARADDPRKCSH | 
|  | 
| see also deficiencies of intracellular signaling peptides and proteins | 
 
| Hydrolases: acid anhydride hydrolases (EC 3.6) | 
|  | 
| 3.6.1 | 
Pyrophosphatase
ApyraseThiamine-triphosphatase | 
|  | 
| 3.6.2 | 
AdenylylsulfatasePhosphoadenylylsulfatase | 
|  | 
| 3.6.3-4: ATPase | 
| 3.6.3 | 
| Cu++ (3.6.3.4) | 
Menkes/ATP7AWilson/ATP7B |  
|  |  
| Ca+ (3.6.3.8) | 
SERCA
Plasma membrane
ATP2B1ATP2B2ATP2B3ATP2B4SPCA
 |  
|  |  
| Na+/K+ (3.6.3.9) | 
ATP1A1ATP1A2ATP1A3ATP1A4ATP1B1ATP1B2ATP1B3ATP1B4 |  
|  |  
| H+/K+ (3.6.3.10) |  |  
|  |  
| Other P-type ATPase | 
ATP8B1ATP10AATP11BATP12AATP13A2ATP13A3 |  |  
|  |  
| 3.6.4 | 
DyneinKinesinMyosinKatanin |  | 
|  | 
| 3.6.5: GTPase | 
| 3.6.5.1: Heterotrimeric G protein | 
GαsGαi
Gαq/11
Gα12/13
Transducin
Gustducin
 |  
|  |  
| 3.6.5.2: Small GTPase > Ras superfamily | 
Rho family of GTPases: Cdc42
RhoUV
Rac
RhoBTB
RhoHRho
Rnd
RhoDF
 
other: Ras
Rab
Arf
RanRhebRapRGK |  
|  |  
| 3.6.5.3: Protein-synthesizing GTPase |  |  
|  |  
| 3.6.5.5-6: Polymerization motors |  |  | 
 
| Enzymes | 
|  | 
| Activity | 
Active siteBinding siteCatalytic triadOxyanion holeEnzyme promiscuityCatalytically perfect enzymeCoenzymeCofactorEnzyme catalysisEnzyme kineticsLineweaver–Burk plotMichaelis–Menten kinetics | 
|  | 
| Regulation | 
Allosteric regulationCooperativityEnzyme inhibitor | 
|  | 
| Classification | 
EC numberEnzyme superfamilyEnzyme familyList of enzymes | 
|  | 
| Types | 
EC1 Oxidoreductases (list)EC2 Transferases (list)EC3 Hydrolases (list)EC4 Lyases (list)EC5 Isomerases (list)EC6 Ligases (list) |