Regulators of G protein signaling proteins as central components of G protein-coupled receptor signaling complexes.
The regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins bind directly to G protein alpha (Gα) subunits to regulate the signaling functions of Gα and their linked G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Recent studies indicate that RGS proteins also interact with GPCRs, not just G proteins, to form preferred functional pairs. Interactions between GPCRs and RGS proteins may be direct or indirect (via a linker protein) and are dictated by the receptors, rather than the linked G proteins. Emerging models suggest that GPCRs serve as platforms for assembling an overlapping and distinct constellation of signaling proteins that perform receptor-specific signaling tasks. Compelling evidence now indicates that RGS proteins are central components of these GPCR signaling complexes. This review will outline recent discoveries of GPCR/RGS pairs as well as new data in support of the idea that GPCRs serve as platforms for the formation of multiprotein signaling complexes.
McCoy
Kelly L
KL
Department of Pharmacology, G205 Rollins Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Hepler
John R
JR
D000818:Animals; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011485:Protein Binding; D020710:RGS Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D020710:RGS Proteins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins