title: Structure/function relationships of phospholipases C Beta.
abstract: Phospholipases C beta (PLC-βs) are essential components of the signal transduction of metazoans. They catalyze the production of the second messengers inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) from the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). These enzymes are activated by G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) through the interaction with the alpha subunit of heterotrimeric G-proteins belonging to the Gq family (Gαq), the Gβγ subunits released by the inhibitory G-protein (Gi) and Ca2+ ions. Here we review current structural insights on these important proteins, with a particular focus on the most structurally characterized isoform (PLC-β3) and the activation mechanism operated by Gαq. We propose, following the lead of recent studies, that a tight combination of experiments and molecular simulations are instrumental in further enlightening the structure/function understanding of PLC-βs.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sandal
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paltrinieri
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carloni
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Musiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Ca' Vignal 1: strada le Grazie 15, I-37134 Verona, Italy. alejandro.giorgetti@univr.it.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giorgetti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D054799:Phospholipase C beta / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D054799:Phospholipase C beta