Genomic analysis of G protein gamma subunits in human and mouse - the relationship between conserved gene structure and G protein betagamma dimer formation

Subtype-dependent regulation of Gβγ signalling

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transmit information to the cell interior by transducing external signals to heterotrimeric G protein subunits, Gα and Gβγ subunits, localized on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Though the initial focus was mainly on Gα-mediated events, Gβγ subunits were later identified as major contributors to GPCR-G protein signalling. A broad functional array of Gβγ signalling has recently been attributed to Gβ and Gγ subtype diversity, comprising 5 Gβ and 12 Gγ subtypes, respectively. In addition to displaying selectivity towards each other to form the Gβγ dimer, numerous studies have identified preferences of distinct Gβγ combinations for specific GPCRs, Gα subtypes and effector molecules. Importantly, Gβ and Gγ subtype-dependent regulation of downstream effectors, representing a diverse range of signalling pathways and physiological functions have been found. Here, we review the literature on the repercussions of Gβ and Gγ subtype diversity on direct and indirect regulation of GPCR/G protein signalling events and their physiological outcomes. Our discussion additionally provides perspective in understanding the intricacies underlying molecular regulation of subtype-specific roles of Gβγ signalling and associated diseases.

Gγ and Gα Identity Dictate a G-Protein Heterotrimer Plasma Membrane Targeting

Heterotrimeric G-proteins along with G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate many biochemical functions by relaying the information from the plasma membrane to the inside of the cell. The lipid modifications of Gα and Gγ subunits, together with the charged regions on the membrane interaction surface, provide a peculiar pattern for various heterotrimeric complexes. In a previous study, we found that Gαs and Gαi3 prefer different types of membrane-anchor and subclass-specific lipid domains. In the present report, we examine the role of distinct Gγ subunits in the membrane localization and spatiotemporal dynamics of Gαs and Gαi3 heterotrimers. We characterized lateral diffusion and G-protein subunit interactions in living cells using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) microscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) detected by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), respectively. The interaction of Gγ subunits with specific lipids was confirmed, and thus the modulation of heterotrimeric G-protein localization. However, the Gα subunit also modulates trimer localization, and so the membrane distribution of heterotrimeric G-proteins is not dependent on Gγ only.

Regulation of G Protein βγ Signaling

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) deliver external signals to the cell interior, upon activation by the external signal stimulated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).While the activated GPCRs control several pathways independently, activated G proteins control the vast majority of cellular and physiological functions, ranging from vision to cardiovascular homeostasis. Activated GPCRs dissociate GαGDPβγ heterotrimer into GαGTP and free Gβγ. Earlier, GαGTP was recognized as the primary signal transducer of the pathway and Gβγ as a passive signaling modality that facilitates the activity of Gα. However, Gβγ later found to regulate more number of pathways than GαGTP does. Once liberated from the heterotrimer, free Gβγ interacts and activates a diverse range of signaling regulators including kinases, lipases, GTPases, and ion channels, and it does not require any posttranslation modifications. Gβγ family consists of 48 members, which show cell- and tissue-specific expressions, and recent reports show that cells employ the subtype diversity in Gβγ to achieve desired signaling outcomes. In addition to activated GPCRs, which induce free Gβγ generation and the rate of GTP hydrolysis in Gα, which sequester Gβγ in the heterotrimer, terminating Gβγ signaling, additional regulatory mechanisms exist to regulate Gβγ activity. In this chapter, we discuss structure and function, subtype diversity and its significance in signaling regulation, effector activation, regulatory mechanisms as well as the disease relevance of Gβγ in eukaryotes.

The expanding roles of Gβγ subunits in G protein-coupled receptor signaling and drug action

Gβγ subunits from heterotrimeric G proteins perform a vast array of functions in cells with respect to signaling, often independently as well as in concert with Gα subunits. However, the eponymous term "Gβγ" does not do justice to the fact that 5 Gβ and 12 Gγ isoforms have evolved in mammals to serve much broader roles beyond their canonical roles in cellular signaling. We explore the phylogenetic diversity of Gβγ subunits with a view toward understanding these expanded roles in different cellular organelles. We suggest that the particular content of distinct Gβγ subunits regulates cellular activity, and that the granularity of individual Gβ and Gγ action is only beginning to be understood. Given the therapeutic potential of targeting Gβγ action, this larger view serves as a prelude to more specific development of drugs aimed at individual isoforms.

Synergistic roles for G-protein γ3 and γ7 subtypes in seizure susceptibility as revealed in double knock-out mice

The functions of different G-protein αβγ subunit combinations are traditionally ascribed to their various α components. However, the discovery of similarly diverse γ subtypes raises the possibility that they may also contribute to specificity. To test this possibility, we used a gene targeting approach to determine whether the closely related γ(3) and γ(7) subunits can perform functionally interchangeable roles in mice. In contrast to single knock-out mice that show normal survival, Gng3(-/-)Gng7(-/-) double knock-out mice display a progressive seizure disorder that dramatically reduces their median life span to only 75 days. Biochemical analyses reveal that the severe phenotype is not due to redundant roles for the two γ subunits in the same signaling pathway but rather is attributed to their unique actions in different signaling pathways. The results suggest that the γ(3) subunit is a component of a G(i/o) protein that is required for γ-aminobutyric acid, type B, receptor-regulated neuronal excitability, whereas the γ(7) subunit is a component of a G(olf) protein that is responsible for A(2A) adenosine or D(1) dopamine receptor-induced neuro-protective response. The development of this mouse model offers a novel experimental framework for exploring how signaling pathways integrate to produce normal brain function and how their combined dysfunction leads to spontaneous seizures and premature death. The results underscore the critical role of the γ subunit in this process.

Regulation of Golgi structure and secretion by receptor-induced G protein βγ complex translocation

We show that receptor induced G protein betagamma subunit translocation from the plasma membrane to the Golgi allows a receptor to initiate fragmentation and regulate secretion. A lung epithelial cell line, A549, was shown to contain an endogenous translocating G protein gamma subunit and exhibit receptor-induced Golgi fragmentation. Receptor-induced Golgi fragmentation was inhibited by a shRNA specific to the endogenous translocating gamma subunit. A kinase defective protein kinase D and a phospholipase C beta inhibitor blocked receptor-induced Golgi fragmentation, suggesting a role for this process in secretion. Consistent with betagamma translocation dependence, fragmentation induced by receptor activation was inhibited by a dominant negative nontranslocating gamma3. Insulin secretion was shown to be induced by muscarinic receptor activation in a pancreatic beta cell line, NIT-1. Induction of insulin secretion was also inhibited by the dominant negative gamma3 subunit consistent with the Golgi fragmentation induced by betagamma complex translocation playing a role in secretion.

In-depth cDNA library sequencing provides quantitative gene expression profiling in cancer biomarker discovery

Quantitative gene expression analysis plays an important role in identifying differentially expressed genes in various pathological states, gene expression regulation and co-regulation, shedding light on gene functions. Although microarray is widely used as a powerful tool in this regard, it is suboptimal quantitatively and unable to detect unknown gene variants. Here we demonstrated effective detection of differential expression and co-regulation of certain genes by expressed sequence tag analysis using a selected subset of cDNA libraries. We discussed the issues of sequencing depth and library preparation, and propose that increased sequencing depth and improved preparation procedures may allow detection of many expression features for less abundant gene variants. With the reduction of sequencing cost and the emerging of new generation sequencing technology, in-depth sequencing of cDNA pools or libraries may represent a better and powerful tool in gene expression profiling and cancer biomarker detection. We also propose using sequence-specific subtraction to remove hundreds of the most abundant housekeeping genes to increase sequencing depth without affecting relative expression ratio of other genes, as transcripts from as few as 300 most abundantly expressed genes constitute about 20% of the total transcriptome. In-depth sequencing also represents a unique advantage of detecting unknown forms of transcripts, such as alternative splicing variants, fusion genes, and regulatory RNAs, as well as detecting mutations and polymorphisms that may play important roles in disease pathogenesis.

Prenylation-deficient G protein gamma subunits disrupt GPCR signaling in the zebrafish

Prenylation of G protein gamma (gamma) subunits is necessary for the membrane localization of heterotrimeric G proteins and for functional heterotrimeric G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. To evaluate GPCR signaling pathways during development, we injected zebrafish embryos with mRNAs encoding Ggamma subunits mutated so that they can no longer be prenylated. Low-level expression of these prenylation-deficient Ggamma subunits driven either ubiquitously or specifically in the primordial germ cells (PGCs) disrupts GPCR signaling and manifests as a PGC migration defect. This disruption results in a reduction of calcium accumulation in the protrusions of migrating PGCs and a failure of PGCs to directionally migrate. When co-expressed with a prenylation-deficient Ggamma, 8 of the 17 wildtype Ggamma isoforms individually confer the ability to restore calcium accumulation and directional migration. These results suggest that while the Ggamma subunits possess the ability to interact with G Beta (beta) proteins, only a subset of wildtype Ggamma proteins are stable within PGCs and can interact with key signaling components necessary for PGC migration. This in vivo study highlights the functional redundancy of these signaling components and demonstrates that prenylation-deficient Ggamma subunits are an effective tool to investigate the roles of GPCR signaling events during vertebrate development.

In-depth cDNA Library Sequencing Provides Quantitative Gene Expression Profiling in Cancer Biomarker Discovery

Quantitative gene expression analysis plays an important role in identifying differentially expressed genes in various pathological states, gene expression regulation and co-regulation, shedding light on gene functions. Although microarray is widely used as a powerful tool in this regard, it is suboptimal quantitatively and unable to detect unknown gene variants. Here we demonstrated effective detection of differential expression and co-regulation of certain genes by expressed sequence tag analysis using a selected subset of cDNA libraries. We discussed the issues of sequencing depth and library preparation, and propose that increased sequencing depth and improved preparation procedures may allow detection of many expression features for less abundant gene variants. With the reduction of sequencing cost and the emerging of new generation sequencing technology, in-depth sequencing of cDNA pools or libraries may represent a better and powerful tool in gene expression profiling and cancer biomarker detection. We also propose using sequence-specific subtraction to remove hundreds of the most abundant housekeeping genes to increase sequencing depth without affecting relative expression ratio of other genes, as transcripts from as few as 300 most abundantly expressed genes constitute about 20% of the total transcriptome. In-depth sequencing also represents a unique advantage of detecting unknown forms of transcripts, such as alternative splicing variants, fusion genes, and regulatory RNAs, as well as detecting mutations and polymorphisms that may play important roles in disease pathogenesis.

Promoter-sharing by different genes in human genome--CPNE1 and RBM12 gene pair as an example

Background

Regulation of gene expression plays important role in cellular functions. Co-regulation of different genes may indicate functional connection or even physical interaction between gene products. Thus analysis on genomic structures that may affect gene expression regulation could shed light on the functions of genes.

Results

In a whole genome analysis of alternative splicing events, we found that two distinct genes, copine I (CPNE1) and RNA binding motif protein 12 (RBM12), share the most 5' exons and therefore the promoter region in human. Further analysis identified many gene pairs in human genome that share the same promoters and 5' exons but have totally different coding sequences. Analysis of genomic and expressed sequences, either cDNAs or expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for CPNE1 and RBM12, confirmed the conservation of this phenomenon during evolutionary courses. The co-expression of the two genes initiated from the same promoter is confirmed by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in different tissues in both human and mouse. High degrees of sequence conservation among multiple species in the 5'UTR region common to CPNE1 and RBM12 were also identified.

Conclusion

Promoter and 5'UTR sharing between CPNE1 and RBM12 is observed in human, mouse and zebrafish. Conservation of this genomic structure in evolutionary courses indicates potential functional interaction between the two genes. More than 20 other gene pairs in human genome were found to have the similar genomic structure in a genome-wide analysis, and it may represent a unique pattern of genomic arrangement that may affect expression regulation of the corresponding genes.

A family of G protein βγ subunits translocate reversibly from the plasma membrane to endomembranes on receptor activation

The present model of G protein activation by G protein-coupled receptors exclusively localizes their activation and function to the plasma membrane (PM). Observation of the spatiotemporal response of G protein subunits in a living cell to receptor activation showed that 6 of the 12 members of the G protein gamma subunit family translocate specifically from the PM to endomembranes. The gamma subunits translocate as betagamma complexes, whereas the alpha subunit is retained on the PM. Depending on the gamma subunit, translocation occurs predominantly to the Golgi complex or the endoplasmic reticulum. The rate of translocation also varies with the gamma subunit type. Different gamma subunits, thus, confer distinct spatiotemporal properties to translocation. A striking relationship exists between the amino acid sequences of various gamma subunits and their translocation properties. gamma subunits with similar translocation properties are more closely related to each other. Consistent with this relationship, introducing residues conserved in translocating subunits into a non-translocating subunit results in a gain of function. Inhibitors of vesicle-mediated trafficking and palmitoylation suggest that translocation is diffusion-mediated and controlled by acylation similar to the shuttling of G protein subunits (Chisari, M., Saini, D. K., Kalyanaraman, V., and Gautam, N. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282, 24092-24098). These results suggest that the continual testing of cytosolic surfaces of cell membranes by G protein subunits facilitates an activated cell surface receptor to direct potentially active G protein betagamma subunits to intracellular membranes.