Endogenous RGS proteins regulate presynaptic and postsynaptic function: functional expression of RGS-insensitive Galpha subunits in central nervous system neurons.
Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS)-insensitive (RGSi) G-protein alpha subunits can be used to indirectly determine the function of endogenous RGS proteins in native cells. This article describes the application of RGSi Galpha subunits to the study of endogenous RGS function in central nervous system (CNS) neurons. Presynaptic inhibition of neurotransmitter release was reconstituted in primary neurons using RGSi Galpha(i/o) subunits, whereas postsynaptic regulation of potassium channels was reconstituted using RGSi chimeras of Galpha(q) and Galpha(i). These studies have shown that endogenous RGS proteins are essential for the rapid termination of some G-protein-mediated signals in CNS neurons, whereas these proteins are much less important for the regulation of other signals. Together, these techniques have helped reveal the complexity of RGS regulation of CNS function.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-2300, USA.
Huanmian
H
Chen
Michael A
MA
Clark
Nevin A
NA
Lambert
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D037342:Pertussis Toxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism*; D020710:RGS Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D020710:RGS Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go