title: Strike a pose: Gαq complexes at the membrane.
abstract: The heterotrimeric G protein Gαq is a central player in signal transduction, relaying signals from activated G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to effectors and other proteins to elicit changes in intracellular Ca(2+), the actin cytoskeleton, and gene transcription. Gαq functions at the intracellular surface of the plasma membrane, as do its best-characterized targets, phospholipase C-β, p63RhoGEF, and GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2). Recent insights into the structure and function of these signaling complexes reveal several recurring themes, including complex multivalent interactions between Gαq, its protein target, and the membrane, that are likely essential for allosteric control and maximum efficiency in signal transduction. Thus, the plasma membrane is not only a source of substrates but also a key player in the scaffolding of Gαq-dependent signaling pathways.
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Institute and the Departments of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Angeline M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lyon
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Institute and the Departments of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Veronica G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Institute and the Departments of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: tesmerjj@umich.edu.
authors.forename: John J G
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Tesmer
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D043802:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D043802:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11
keywords: ARHGEF25; G-protein-coupled receptor; GRK2; Gα(q); crystallography; heterotrimeric G protein signaling; membrane; p63RhoGEF; phospholipase Cβ; phospholipids; protein structure; second messengers