title: Effect of n-Alkanols on G-Protein α Subunits.
abstract: Guanine nucleotide binding (G)-proteins are GTP-driven allosteric proteins consisting of a single α subunit and a β and γ heterodimer. Gα subunits function as on/off switches based on the occupancy of the nucleotide-binding site, GTP or GDP, such that any alteration in nucleotide exchange modulates signal output. Our previous work has shown that haloalkanes and ethers inhibit GDP/GTP exchange on αi1, αi2 and αi3 subunits, but not the closely related αo. To test whether individual G-protein sensitivity correlates with n-alkanols potency and hydrophobicity, we studied the effects of n-alkanols of varied chain lengths on GDP/GTP exchange by Gαsubunits. n-alkanols (ethanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, heptanol, octanol and nonanol) showed differential effects on guanine nucleotide exchange by Gαi1, Gαi2 and Gαo. Based on our observations, we conclude that n-alkanols interact and modulate the activity of the G-α subunits to different extent, thereby uncoupling pathways known to modulate neuronal excitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pentyala
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanguturi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Anas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sawas
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Amulya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Veerraju
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Annam
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cipp
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rebecchi