Pheromone action regulates G-protein alpha-subunit myristoylation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Myristic acid (C14:0) is added to the N-terminal glycine residue of the alpha subunits of certain receptor-coupled guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins). The G alpha subunit (GPA1 gene product) coupled to yeast pheromone receptors exists as a pool of both myristoylated and unmyristolyated species. After treatment of MATa cells with alpha factor, the myristoylated form of Gpa1p increases dramatically, and the unmyristoylated form decreases concomitantly. This pheromone-stimulated shift depends on the function of STE2 (alpha-factor receptor), STE11 (a protein kinase in the response pathway), and NMT1 (myristoyl-CoA:protein N-myristoyltransferase) genes and uses the existing pool of fatty acids (is not blocked by cerulenin). Myristoylated Gpa1p persists long after pheromone is removed. Because myristoylation is essential for proper G alpha-G beta gamma association and receptor coupling, pheromone-dependent stimulation of Gpa1p myristoylation may be an important contributing factor in adaptation after signal transmission.
Dohlman
H G
HG
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Goldsmith
P
P
Spiegel
A M
AM
Thorner
J
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D000072235:Mating Factor; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009226:Myristates / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D010675:Pheromones / Q000502:physiology*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D009226:Myristates; D010455:Peptides; D010675:Pheromones; D000072235:Mating Factor; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins