The Galpha protein Gpa2 controls yeast differentiation by interacting with kelch repeat proteins that mimic Gbeta subunits.
G protein coupled receptors (GPCR) sense diverse ligands and signal via heterotrimeric G proteins. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae GPCR Gpr1 senses glucose and controls filamentous growth via an unusual Galpha protein, Gpa2, which lacks any known Gbetagamma subunits. Our genetic and biochemical studies identify Gpa2 interaction partners (Gpb1/2, Gpg1) and provide evidence that these proteins function as G protein subunit mimics and signaling effectors. Gpb1 and Gpb2 lack the seven WD-40 repeats found in Gbeta subunits and instead contain seven kelch repeats implicated in protein-protein interactions. Gbeta subunits and the kelch repeat protein galactose oxidase fold into strikingly similar seven-bladed beta propellers. Our studies demonstrate that Gpa2 signals in conjunction with Gbeta structural mimics and that homologous G protein subunits or effectors may be conserved in multicellular eukaryotes.
Harashima
Toshiaki
T
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Heitman
Joseph
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D044385:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006153:Guanosine Diphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D021122:Protein Subunits; D020449:Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D029702:Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins; D013997:Time Factors
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C110690:FLO11 protein, S cerevisiae; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D044385:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D029702:Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins; C101525:git5 protein, S pombe; D006153:Guanosine Diphosphate; D000242:Cyclic AMP; C083907:Gpa2 protein, S cerevisiae; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins; C540695:gpa2 protein, S pombe; D005947:Glucose