title: G protein defects in signal transduction.
abstract: G proteins couple receptors for many hormones to effectors that regulate second messenger metabolism. Several endocrine disorders have been shown to be caused by either loss- or gain-of-function mutations in G proteins or G protein-coupled receptors. In pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia (PHP Ia), there are generalized hormone resistance (parathyroid hormone [PTH], thyroid-stimulating hormone, gonadotropins) and associated abnormal physical features, Albright hereditary osteodystrophy. Subjects with PHP Ib are normal in appearance and show renal resistance to PTH. In McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS), subjects show autonomous endocrine hyperfunction associated with fibrous dysplasia of bone and skin hyperpigmentation. Germline loss-of-function mutations have been identified in the G(s)-alpha gene in PHP Ia, and recent evidence suggests that the G(s)-alpha gene is paternally imprinted in a tissue-specific manner. Abnormal imprinting of the G(s)-alpha gene may be the cause of PHP Ib. MAS, in contrast, is caused by gain-of-function missense mutations of the G(s)-alpha gene.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Spiegel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011547:Pseudohypoparathyroidism / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins