Signal-transducing G proteins: basic and clinical implications.
The pivotal role that G proteins play in transmembrane signal transduction is highlighted by the rapidly expanding list of receptors and effector molecules that are coupled through G proteins. G proteins are poised to allow discrimination and diversification of cellular signals into the cytosolic milieu. The utilization of an evolutionarily conserved "GTPase clock" by G proteins, offers insight into the fundamental role these proteins play in biology. Knowledge of the implication of altered expression or function of G proteins in human disease is now emerging. It is not surprising that deficiency or expression of altered forms of these important proteins can lead to global or restricted metabolic disturbances, depending upon the distribution and role of the G protein. Human disorders, including heart failure, alcoholism, endocrine abnormalities, and neoplasia, are now recognized as due in part to altered expression or function of G proteins.
Department of Anesthesiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
C W
CW
Emala
W F
WF
Schwindinger
G S
GS
Wand
M A
MA
Levine
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015398:Signal Transduction
D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins