title: Homologous and unique G protein alpha subunits in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: A cDNA corresponding to a known G protein alpha subunit, the alpha subunit of Go (Go alpha), was isolated and sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence of C. elegans Go alpha is 80-87% identical to other Go alpha sequences. An mRNA that hybridizes to the C. elegans Go alpha cDNA can be detected on Northern blots. A C. elegans protein that crossreacts with antibovine Go alpha antibody can be detected on immunoblots. A cosmid clone containing the C. elegans Go alpha gene (goa-1) was isolated and mapped to chromosome I. The genomic fragments of three other C. elegans G protein alpha subunit genes (gpa-1, gpa-2, and gpa-3) have been isolated using the polymerase chain reaction. The corresponding cosmid clones were isolated and mapped to disperse locations on chromosome V. The sequences of two of the genes, gpa-1 and gpa-3, were determined. The predicted amino acid sequences of gpa-1 and gpa-3 are only 48% identical to each other. Therefore, they are likely to have distinct functions. In addition they are not homologous enough to G protein alpha subunits in other organisms to be classified. Thus C. elegans has G proteins that are identifiable homologues of mammalian G proteins as well as G proteins that appear to be unique to C. elegans. Study of identifiable G proteins in C. elegans may result in a further understanding of their function in other organisms, whereas study of the novel G proteins may provide an understanding of unique aspects of nematode physiology.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lochrie
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mendel
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Sternberg
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002107:Caenorhabditis / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins