Cellular mechanisms that determine selective RGS protein regulation of G protein-coupled receptor signaling.
Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS proteins) bind directly to activated Galpha subunits to inhibit their signaling. However, recent findings show that RGS proteins selectively regulate signaling by certain G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in cells, irrespective of the coupled G protein. New studies support an emerging model that suggests RGS proteins utilize both direct and indirect mechanisms to form stable functional pairs with preferred GPCRs to selectively modulate the signaling functions of those receptors and linked G proteins. Here, we discuss these findings and their implications for established models of GPCR signaling.
Neitzel
Karen L
KL
Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, G205 Rollins Research Center, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Hepler
John R
JR
D000818:Animals; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D005544:Forecasting; D020555:GTP-Binding Protein Regulators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D020710:RGS Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D020555:GTP-Binding Protein Regulators; D020710:RGS Proteins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins