A new tool for G protein analysis.
G proteins play a pivotal role in cellular signaling by acting as molecular switches that undergo conformational changes upon binding GTP. The primary sequence constituting the binding cleft among the >160 G proteins in the human genome is highly conserved, consistent with the fact that these proteins share similar guanine nucleotide-binding characteristics. Recent work has demonstrated the feasibility of designing new analogs of GTP that can specifically activate G proteins whose nucleotide-binding sites have been remodeled through mutagenesis. This strategy has the potential to provide new insights into how G proteins act as molecular switches that engage their downstream target/effector proteins to generate specific signaling outputs.
Erickson
Jon W
JW
Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-6401, USA.
Cerione
Richard A
RA
D001665:Binding Sites; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D008958:Models, Molecular; D016296:Mutagenesis; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D015398:Signal Transduction; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries / Q000737:chemistry*
D008024:Ligands; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins