G Proteins

G proteins are so-called because they bind the guanine nucleotides GDP and GTP. They are heterotrimers (i.e., made of three different subunits) associated with

the inner surface of the plasma membrane and
transmembrane receptors of hormones, etc. These are called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

The three subunits are:

Gα, which carries the binding site for the nucleotide. At least 20 different kinds of Gα molecules are found in mammalian cells.
Gβ
Gγ

How They Work

In the inactive state, Gα has GDP in its binding site.
When a hormone or other ligand binds to the associated GPCR, an allosteric change takes place in the receptor (that is, its tertiary structure changes).
This triggers an allosteric change in Gα causing
GDP to leave and be replaced by GTP.
GTP activates Gα causing it to dissociate from GβGγ (which remain linked as a dimer).
Activated Gα in turn activates an effector molecule.
In a common example (shown here), the effector molecule is adenylyl cyclase - an enzyme in the inner face of the plasma membrane which catalyzes the conversion of ATP into the "second messenger" cyclic AMP (cAMP) [More].

Activated Gα is a GTPase so it quickly converts its GTP to GDP. This conversion, coupled with the return of the Gβ and Gγ subunits, restores the G protein to its inactive state. [Link to additional mechanisms that aid in turning GPCRs off.]

Some Types of Gα Subunits

Gα_s

This type stimulates (s = "stimulatory") adenylyl cyclase. It is the one depicted here. It is associated with the receptors for many hormones such as:

Gα_s is the target of the toxin liberated by Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera. Binding of cholera toxin to Gα_s keeps it turned "on". The resulting continuous high levels of cAMP causes a massive loss of salts from the cells of the intestinal epithelium. Massive amounts of water follow by osmosis causing a diarrhea that can be fatal if the salts and water are not quickly replaced.

Gα_q

This activates phospholipase C (PLC) which generates the second messengers:

inositol trisphosphate (IP₃)
diacylglycerol (DAG)

Gα_q is found in G proteins coupled to receptors for

vasopressin,
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and
angiotensin.

Gα_i

This inhibits (i = "inhibitory") adenylyl cyclase lowering the level of cAMP in the cell. Ga_i is activated by the receptor for somatostatin.

Gα_t

The "t" is for transducin, the molecule responsible for generating a signal in the rods of the retina in response to light. Gα_t triggers the breakdown of cyclic GMP (cGMP).

Link to discussion of the molecular events in vision.

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7 February 2007