title: Synthesis and assembly of G protein βγ dimers: comparison of in vitro and in vivo studies.
abstract: The heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) are the canonical cellular machinery used with the approximately 700 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in the human genome to transduce extracellular signals across the plasma membrane. The synthesis of the constituent G protein subunits, and their assembly into Gβγ dimers and G protein heterotrimers, determines the signaling repertoire for G-protein/GPCR signaling in cells. These synthesis/assembly -processes are intimately related to two other overlapping events in the intricate pathway leading to formation of G protein signaling complexes, posttranslational modification and intracellular trafficking of G proteins. The assembly of the Gβγ dimer is a complex process involving multiple accessory proteins and organelles. The mechanisms involved are becoming increasingly appreciated, but are still incompletely understood. In vitro and in vivo (cellular) studies provide different perspectives of these processes, and a comparison of them can provide insight into both our current level of understanding and directions to be taken in future investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dingus
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hildebrandt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044387:GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D044388:GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000378:metabolism*; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C118981:G-protein Beta gamma; D044387:GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits; D044388:GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits; D018832:Molecular Chaperones