Heterotrimeric G-proteins and development.
Heterotrimeric G-proteins are well-known transducers of signaling from a populous class of heptihelical, membrane receptors to a smaller group of effector molecules that includes adenylylcyclases, cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases, phospholipases (type C beta), and various ion channels. Dramatic changes in specific G-protein subunits that coincide with commitment to highly-specialized cell types suggest a key role for these extrinsic membrane proteins in cell differentiation and development. Through analysis of the effects of gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutants, it has been possible to explore this new dimension in G-protein biology, intimately linking specific G-proteins to development. G-protein subunits are shown to be important molecular switches in the complex biological processes controlling both cellular differentiation and early development.
Malbon
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Department of Pharmacological Sciences, School of Medicine-HSC, SUNY/Stony Brook 11794-8651, USA.
D000818:Animals; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins