Identification of a Drosophila G protein alpha subunit (dGq alpha-3) expressed in chemosensory cells and central neurons.
We have identified another Drosophila GTP-binding protein (G protein) alpha subunit, dGq alpha-3. Transcripts encoding dGq alpha-3 are derived from alternative splicing of the dGq alpha locus previously shown to encode two visual-system-specific transcripts [Lee, Y.-J., Dobbs, M.B., Verardi, M.L. & Hyde, D.R. (1990) Neuron 5, 889-898]. Immunolocalization studies using dGq alpha-3 isoform-specific antibodies and LacZ fusion genes show that dGq alpha-3 is expressed in chemosensory cells of the olfactory and taste structures, including a subset of olfactory and gustatory neurons, and in cells of the central nervous system, including neurons in the lamina ganglionaris. These data are consistent with a variety of roles for dGq alpha-3, including mediating a subset of olfactory and gustatory responses in Drosophila, and supports the idea that some chemosensory responses use G protein-coupled receptors and the second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.
Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235, USA.
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D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry*; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D043802:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C097161:G protein a49B, Drosophila; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D043802:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins