Membrane Recruitment of the Non-receptor Protein GIV/Girdin (Gα-interacting, Vesicle-associated Protein/Girdin) Is Sufficient for Activating Heterotrimeric G Protein Signaling

Extracellular proximal interaction profiling by cell surface-targeted TurboID reveals LDLR as a partner of liganded EGFR

Plasma membrane proteins play pivotal roles in receiving and transducing signals from other cells and from the environment and are vital for cellular functionality. Enzyme-based, proximity-dependent approaches, such as biotin identification (BioID), combined with mass spectrometry have begun to illuminate the landscape of proximal protein interactions within intracellular compartments. To extend the potential of these approaches to study the extracellular environment, we developed extracellular TurboID (ecTurboID), a method designed to profile the interactions between proteins on the surfaces of living cells over short timescales using the fast-acting biotin ligase TurboID. After optimizing our experimental and data analysis strategies to capture extracellular proximity interactions, we used ecTurboID to reveal the proximal interactomes of several plasma membrane proteins, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We found that EGF stimulation induced an association between EGFR and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and changed the interactome of LDLR by increasing its proximity with proteins that regulate EGFR signaling. The identification of this interaction between two well-studied and clinically relevant receptors illustrates the utility of our modified proximity labeling methodology for identifying dynamic extracellular associations between plasma membrane proteins.

Get Ready to Sharpen Your Tools: A Short Guide to Heterotrimeric G Protein Activity Biosensors

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of transmembrane receptors encoded in the human genome, and they initiate cellular responses triggered by a plethora of extracellular stimuli ranging from neurotransmitters and hormones to photons. Upon stimulation, GPCRs activate heterotrimeric G proteins (Gαβγ) in the cytoplasm, which then convey signals to their effectors to elicit cellular responses. Given the broad biological and biomedical relevance of GPCRs and G proteins in physiology and disease, there is great interest in developing and optimizing approaches to measure their signaling activity with high accuracy and across experimental systems pertinent to their functions in cellular communication. This review provides a historical perspective on approaches to measure GPCR-G protein signaling, from quantification of second messengers and other indirect readouts of activity to biosensors that directly detect the activity of G proteins. The latter is the focus of a more detailed overview of the evolution of design principles for various optical biosensors of G protein activity with different experimental capabilities. We will highlight advantages and limitations of biosensors that detect different G protein activation hallmarks, like dissociation of Gα and Gβγ or nucleotide exchange on Gα, as well as their suitability to detect signaling mediated by endogenous versus exogenous signaling components or in physiologically relevant systems like primary cells. Overall, this review intends to provide an assessment of the state-of-the-art for biosensors that directly measure G protein activity to allow readers to make informed decisions on the selection and implementation of currently available tools. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: G protein activity biosensors have become essential and widespread tools to assess GPCR signaling and pharmacology. Yet, investigators face the challenge of choosing from a growing list of G protein activity biosensors. This review provides an overview of the features and capabilities of different optical biosensor designs for the direct detection of G protein activity in cells, with the aim of facilitating the rational selection of systems that align with the specific scientific questions and needs of investigators.

Heterotrimeric G protein signaling without GPCRs: The Gα-binding-and-activating (GBA) motif

Heterotrimeric G proteins (Gαβγ) are molecular switches that relay signals from 7-transmembrane receptors located at the cell surface to the cytoplasm. The function of these receptors is so intimately linked to heterotrimeric G proteins that they are named G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), showcasing the interdependent nature of this archetypical receptor-transducer axis of transmembrane signaling in eukaryotes. It is generally assumed that activation of heterotrimeric G protein signaling occurs exclusively by the action of GPCRs, but this idea has been challenged by the discovery of alternative mechanisms by which G proteins can propagate signals in the cell. This review will focus on a general principle of G protein signaling that operates without the direct involvement of GPCRs. The mechanism of G protein signaling reviewed here is mediated by a class of G protein regulators defined by containing an evolutionarily conserved sequence named the Gα-binding-and-activating (GBA) motif. Using the best characterized proteins with a GBA motif as examples, Gα-interacting vesicle-associated protein (GIV)/Girdin and dishevelled-associating protein with a high frequency of leucine residues (DAPLE), this review will cover (i) the mechanisms by which extracellular cues not relayed by GPCRs promote the coupling of GBA motif-containing regulators with G proteins, (ii) the structural and molecular basis for how GBA motifs interact with Gα subunits to facilitate signaling, (iii) the relevance of this mechanism in different cellular and pathological processes, including cancer and birth defects, and (iv) strategies to manipulate GBA-G protein coupling for experimental therapeutics purposes, including the development of rationally engineered proteins and chemical probes.

An unusual signal transducer GIV/Girdin engages in the roles of adipocyte-derived hormone leptin in liver fibrosis

Obese patients usually have hyperleptinemia and are prone to develop liver fibrosis. Leptin is intimately linked to liver fibrogenesis, a multi-receptor-driven disease. Gα-Interacting Vesicle-associated protein (GIV) functions as a multimodular signal transducer and a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Gi controling key signalings downstream of diverse receptors. This study aimed to examine the roles of GIV in leptin-caused liver fibrosis and employed the culture-activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and leptin-deficient mice, respectively. Results indicated that leptin upregulated GIV expression in HSCs. GIV was involved in leptin-induced HSC activation and liver fibrosis. GIV mediated leptin regulation of TIMP1, MMP9, PDGFβ receptor and TGFβ receptor and was required for leptin stimulating the pathways of Erk1/2, Akt1, and Smad3. GIV was also a mediator for leptin-regulation of Cyclin D1 and Caspase-3 activity but GIV reduced Caspase-3 level independently of leptin in vivo. Erk1/2 signaling, Egr1 and c-Jun were associated with the effect of leptin on GIV expression in HSCs. Leptin-induced Erk1/2 signaling increased Egr1 and p-c-Jun levels and promoted their binding to GIV promoter at the sites between -190 bp and -180 bp and between -382 bp and - 376 bp, respectively. Egr1 knockdown lessened leptin-upregulation of GIV in vitro and in vivo. In human cirrhotic livers, the increase in GIV protein level parallelled with the elevated p-Erk1/2 and Egr1 levels in HSCs. In summary, the unusual signal transducer GIV was identified as an important mediator in leptin-induced liver fibrosis. GIV may have significant implications in liver fibrosis progression of obese patients with hyperleptinaemia.

Stearic acid blunts growth-factor signaling via oleoylation of GNAI proteins

Covalent attachment of C16:0 to proteins (palmitoylation) regulates protein function. Proteins are also S-acylated by other fatty acids including C18:0. Whether protein acylation with different fatty acids has different functional outcomes is not well studied. We show here that C18:0 (stearate) and C18:1 (oleate) compete with C16:0 to S-acylate Cys3 of GNAI proteins. C18:0 becomes desaturated so that C18:0 and C18:1 both cause S-oleoylation of GNAI. Exposure of cells to C16:0 or C18:0 shifts GNAI acylation towards palmitoylation or oleoylation, respectively. Oleoylation causes GNAI proteins to shift out of cell membrane detergent-resistant fractions where they potentiate EGFR signaling. Consequently, exposure of cells to C18:0 reduces recruitment of Gab1 to EGFR and reduces AKT activation. This provides a molecular mechanism for the anti-tumor effects of C18:0, uncovers a mechanistic link how metabolites affect cell signaling, and provides evidence that the identity of the fatty acid acylating a protein can have functional consequences.

Era-like GTP protein gene expression in rice

The mutations are genetic changes in the genome sequences and have a significant role in biotechnology, genetics, and molecular biology even to find out the genome sequences of a cell DNA along with the viral RNA sequencing. The mutations are the alterations in DNA that may be natural or spontaneous and induced due to biochemical reactions or radiations which damage cell DNA. There is another cause of mutations which is known as transposons or jumping genes which can change their position in the genome during meiosis or DNA replication. The transposable elements can induce by self in the genome due to cellular and molecular mechanisms including hypermutation which caused the localization of transposable elements to move within the genome. The use of induced mutations for studying the mutagenesis in crop plants is very common as well as a promising method for screening crop plants with new and enhanced traits for the improvement of yield and production. The utilization of insertional mutations through transposons or jumping genes usually generates stable mutant alleles which are mostly tagged for the presence or absence of jumping genes or transposable elements. The transposable elements may be used for the identification of mutated genes in crop plants and even for the stable insertion of transposable elements in mutated crop plants. The guanine nucleotide-binding (GTP) proteins have an important role in inducing tolerance in rice plants to combat abiotic stress conditions.

Complementary biosensors reveal different G-protein signaling modes triggered by GPCRs and non-receptor activators

It has become evident that activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins by cytoplasmic proteins that are not G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) plays a role in physiology and disease. Despite sharing the same biochemical guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity as GPCRs in vitro, the mechanisms by which these cytoplasmic proteins trigger G-protein-dependent signaling in cells have not been elucidated. Heterotrimeric G-proteins can give rise to two active signaling species, Gα-GTP and dissociated Gβγ, with different downstream effectors, but how non-receptor GEFs affect the levels of these two species in cells is not known. Here, a systematic comparison of GPCRs and three unrelated non-receptor proteins with GEF activity in vitro (GIV/Girdin, AGS1/Dexras1, and Ric-8A) revealed high divergence in their contribution to generating Gα-GTP and free Gβγ in cells directly measured with live-cell biosensors. These findings demonstrate fundamental differences in how receptor and non-receptor G-protein activators promote signaling in cells despite sharing similar biochemical activities in vitro.

Receptor tyrosine kinases activate heterotrimeric G proteins via phosphorylation within the interdomain cleft of Gαi

The molecular mechanisms by which receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and heterotrimeric G proteins, two major signaling hubs in eukaryotes, independently relay signals across the plasma membrane have been extensively characterized. How these hubs cross-talk has been a long-standing question, but answers remain elusive. Using linear ion-trap mass spectrometry in combination with biochemical, cellular, and computational approaches, we unravel a mechanism of activation of heterotrimeric G proteins by RTKs and chart the key steps that mediate such activation. Upon growth factor stimulation, the guanine-nucleotide exchange modulator dissociates Gαi•βγ trimers, scaffolds monomeric Gαi with RTKs, and facilitates the phosphorylation on two tyrosines located within the interdomain cleft of Gαi. Phosphorylation triggers the activation of Gαi and inhibits second messengers (cAMP). Tumor-associated mutants reveal how constitutive activation of this pathway impacts cell's decision to "go" vs. "grow." These insights define a tyrosine-based G protein signaling paradigm and reveal its importance in eukaryotes.

Optogenetic activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins by LOV2GIVe, a rationally engineered modular protein

Heterotrimeric G-proteins are signal transducers involved in mediating the action of many natural extracellular stimuli and many therapeutic agents. Non-invasive approaches to manipulate the activity of G-proteins with high precision are crucial to understand their regulation in space and time. Here, we developed LOV2GIVe, an engineered modular protein that allows the activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins with blue light. This optogenetic construct relies on a versatile design that differs from tools previously developed for similar purposes, that is metazoan opsins, which are light-activated G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Instead, LOV2GIVe consists of the fusion of a G-protein activating peptide derived from a non-GPCR regulator of G-proteins to a small plant protein domain, such that light uncages the G-protein activating module. Targeting LOV2GIVe to cell membranes allowed for light-dependent activation of Gi proteins in different experimental systems. In summary, LOV2GIVe expands the armamentarium and versatility of tools available to manipulate heterotrimeric G-protein activity.

Revealing the Activity of Trimeric G-proteins in Live Cells with a Versatile Biosensor Design

Heterotrimeric G-proteins (Gαβγ) are the main transducers of signals from GPCRs, mediating the action of countless natural stimuli and therapeutic agents. However, there are currently no robust approaches to directly measure the activity of endogenous G-proteins in cells. Here, we describe a suite of optical biosensors that detect endogenous active G-proteins with sub-second resolution in live cells. Using a modular design principle, we developed genetically encoded, unimolecular biosensors for endogenous Gα-GTP and free Gβγ: the two active species of heterotrimeric G-proteins. This design was leveraged to generate biosensors with specificity for different heterotrimeric G-proteins or for other G-proteins, such as Rho GTPases. Versatility was further validated by implementing the biosensors in multiple contexts, from characterizing cancer-associated G-protein mutants to neurotransmitter signaling in primary neurons. Overall, the versatile biosensor design introduced here enables studying the activity of endogenous G-proteins in live cells with high fidelity, temporal resolution, and convenience.

Regulating cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate: "Sources," "sinks," and now, "tunable valves"

A number of hormones and growth factors stimulate target cells via the second messenger pathways, which in turn regulate cellular phenotypes. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a ubiquitous second messenger that facilitates numerous signal transduction pathways; its production in cells is tightly balanced by ligand-stimulated receptors that activate adenylate cyclases (ACs), that is, "source" and by phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that hydrolyze it, that is, "sinks." Because it regulates various cellular functions, including cell growth and differentiation, gene transcription and protein expression, the cAMP signaling pathway has been exploited for the treatment of numerous human diseases. Reduction in cAMP is achieved by blocking "sources"; however, elevation in cAMP is achieved by either stimulating "source" or blocking "sinks." Here we discuss an alternative paradigm for the regulation of cellular cAMP via GIV/Girdin, the prototypical member of a family of modulators of trimeric GTPases, Guanine nucleotide Exchange Modulators (GEMs). Cells upregulate or downregulate cellular levels of GIV-GEM, which modulates cellular cAMP via spatiotemporal mechanisms distinct from the two most often targeted classes of cAMP modulators, "sources" and "sinks." A network-based compartmental model for the paradigm of GEM-facilitated cAMP signaling has recently revealed that GEMs such as GIV serve much like a "tunable valve" that cells may employ to finetune cellular levels of cAMP. Because dysregulated signaling via GIV and other GEMs has been implicated in multiple disease states, GEMs constitute a hitherto untapped class of targets that could be exploited for modulating aberrant cAMP signaling in disease states. This article is categorized under: Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models Biological Mechanisms > Cell Signaling.

DAPLE protein inhibits nucleotide exchange on Gαs and Gαq via the same motif that activates Gαi

Besides being regulated by G-protein-coupled receptors, the activity of heterotrimeric G proteins is modulated by many cytoplasmic proteins. GIV/Girdin and DAPLE (Dvl-associating protein with a high frequency of leucine) are the best-characterized members of a group of cytoplasmic regulators that contain a Gα-binding and -activating (GBA) motif and whose dysregulation underlies human diseases, including cancer and birth defects. GBA motif-containing proteins were originally reported to modulate G proteins by binding Gα subunits of the G_i/o family (Gα_i) over other families (such as G_s, G_q/11, or G_12/13), and promoting nucleotide exchange in vitro However, some evidence suggests that this is not always the case, as phosphorylation of the GBA motif of GIV promotes its binding to Gα_s and inhibits nucleotide exchange. The G-protein specificity of DAPLE and how it might affect nucleotide exchange on G proteins besides Gα_i remain to be investigated. Here, we show that DAPLE's GBA motif, in addition to Gα_i, binds efficiently to members of the G_s and G_q/11 families (Gα_s and Gα_q, respectively), but not of the G_12/13 family (Gα₁₂) in the absence of post-translational phosphorylation. We pinpointed Met-1669 as the residue in the GBA motif of DAPLE that diverges from that in GIV and enables better binding to Gα_s and Gα_q Unlike the nucleotide-exchange acceleration observed for Gα_i, DAPLE inhibited nucleotide exchange on Gα_s and Gα_q These findings indicate that GBA motifs have versatility in their G-protein-modulating effect, i.e. they can bind to Gα subunits of different classes and either stimulate or inhibit nucleotide exchange depending on the G-protein subtype.

Structural basis for GPCR-independent activation of heterotrimeric Gi proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are key molecular switches that control cell behavior. The canonical activation of G proteins by agonist-occupied G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) has recently been elucidated from the structural perspective. In contrast, the structural basis for GPCR-independent G protein activation by a novel family of guanine-nucleotide exchange modulators (GEMs) remains unknown. Here, we present a 2.0-Å crystal structure of Gαi in complex with the GEM motif of GIV/Girdin. Nucleotide exchange assays, molecular dynamics simulations, and hydrogen-deuterium exchange experiments demonstrate that GEM binding to the conformational switch II causes structural changes that allosterically propagate to the hydrophobic core of the Gαi GTPase domain. Rearrangement of the hydrophobic core appears to be a common mechanism by which GPCRs and GEMs activate G proteins, although with different efficiency. Atomic-level insights presented here will aid structure-based efforts to selectively target the noncanonical G protein activation.

GPCR-independent activation of G proteins promotes apical cell constriction in vivo

Heterotrimeric G proteins are signaling switches that control organismal morphogenesis across metazoans. In invertebrates, specific GPCRs instruct G proteins to promote collective apical cell constriction in the context of epithelial tissue morphogenesis. In contrast, tissue-specific factors that instruct G proteins during analogous processes in vertebrates are largely unknown. Here, we show that DAPLE, a non-GPCR protein linked to human neurodevelopmental disorders, is expressed specifically in the neural plate of Xenopus laevis embryos to trigger a G protein signaling pathway that promotes apical cell constriction during neurulation. DAPLE localizes to apical cell-cell junctions in the neuroepithelium, where it activates G protein signaling to drive actomyosin-dependent apical constriction and subsequent bending of the neural plate. This function is mediated by a Gα-binding-and-activating (GBA) motif that was acquired by DAPLE in vertebrates during evolution. These findings reveal that regulation of tissue remodeling during vertebrate development can be driven by an unconventional mechanism of heterotrimeric G protein activation that operates in lieu of GPCRs.

A biochemical and genetic discovery pipeline identifies PLCδ4b as a nonreceptor activator of heterotrimeric G-proteins

Recent evidence has revealed that heterotrimeric G-proteins can be activated by cytoplasmic proteins that share an evolutionarily conserved sequence called the Gα-binding-and-activating (GBA) motif. This mechanism provides an alternative to canonical activation by G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and plays important roles in cell function, and its dysregulation is linked to diseases such as cancer. Here, we describe a discovery pipeline that uses biochemical and genetic approaches to validate GBA candidates identified by sequence similarity. First, putative GBA motifs discovered in bioinformatics searches were synthesized on peptide arrays and probed in batch for Gα_i3 binding. Then, cDNAs encoding proteins with Gα_i3-binding sequences were expressed in a genetically-modified yeast strain that reports mammalian G-protein activity in the absence of GPCRs. The resulting GBA motif candidates were characterized by comparison of their biochemical, structural, and signaling properties with those of all previously described GBA motifs in mammals (GIV/Girdin, DAPLE, Calnuc, and NUCB2). We found that the phospholipase Cδ4 (PLCδ4) GBA motif binds G-proteins with high affinity, has guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity in vitro, and activates G-protein signaling in cells, as indicated by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based biosensors of G-protein activity. Interestingly, the PLCδ4 isoform b (PLCδ4b), which lacks the domains required for PLC activity, bound and activated G-proteins more efficiently than the full-length isoform a, suggesting that PLCδ4b functions as a G-protein regulator rather than as a PLC. In summary, we have identified PLCδ4 as a nonreceptor activator of G-proteins and established an experimental pipeline to discover and characterize GBA motif-containing proteins.

Specific inhibition of GPCR-independent G protein signaling by a rationally engineered protein

Activation of heterotrimeric G proteins by cytoplasmic nonreceptor proteins is an alternative to the classical mechanism via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). A subset of nonreceptor G protein activators is characterized by a conserved sequence named the Gα-binding and activating (GBA) motif, which confers guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity in vitro and promotes G protein-dependent signaling in cells. GBA proteins have important roles in physiology and disease but remain greatly understudied. This is due, in part, to the lack of efficient tools that specifically disrupt GBA motif function in the context of the large multifunctional proteins in which they are embedded. This hindrance to the study of alternative mechanisms of G protein activation contrasts with the wealth of convenient chemical and genetic tools to manipulate GPCR-dependent activation. Here, we describe the rational design and implementation of a genetically encoded protein that specifically inhibits GBA motifs: GBA inhibitor (GBAi). GBAi was engineered by introducing modifications in Gαi that preclude coupling to every known major binding partner [GPCRs, Gβγ, effectors, guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs), GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), or the chaperone/GEF Ric-8A], while favoring high-affinity binding to all known GBA motifs. We demonstrate that GBAi does not interfere with canonical GPCR-G protein signaling but blocks GBA-dependent signaling in cancer cells. Furthermore, by implementing GBAi in vivo, we show that GBA-dependent signaling modulates phenotypes during Xenopus laevis embryonic development. In summary, GBAi is a selective, efficient, and convenient tool to dissect the biological processes controlled by a GPCR-independent mechanism of G protein activation mediated by cytoplasmic factors.

Rapid kinetic BRET measurements to monitor G protein activation by GPCR and non-GPCR proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are central hubs of signal transduction whose activity is controlled by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as well as by a complex network of regulatory proteins. Recently, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based assays have been used to monitor real-time activation of heterotrimeric G proteins in cells. Here we describe the use of a previously established BRET assay to monitor G protein activation upon GPCR stimulation and its adaptation to measure G protein activation by non-GPCR proteins, such as by cytoplasmic guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) like GIV/Girdin. The BRET assay monitors the release of free Gβγ from Gα-Gβγ heterotrimers as a readout of G protein activation, which is readily observable upon agonist stimulation of GPCRs. To control the signal input for non-GPCR activators, we describe the use of a chemically induced dimerization strategy to promote rapid membrane translocation of proteins containing the Gα-binding and -activating (GBA) motif found in some nonreceptor GEFs. The assay described here allows the kinetic measurement of G protein activation with subsecond temporal resolution and to compare the levels of activation induced by GPCR agonists vs those induced by the membrane recruitment of nonreceptor G protein signaling activators.

Discs large homolog 5 decreases formation and function of invadopodia in human hepatocellular carcinoma via Girdin and Tks5

Invadopodium formation is a crucial early event of invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of invadopodia remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of discs large homolog 5 (Dlg5) in invadopodium formation and function in HCC. We found that Dlg5 expression was significantly lower in human HCC tissues and cell lines than adjacent nontumor tissues and liver cells. Lower Dlg5 expression was associated with advanced stages of HCC, and poor overall and disease-free survival of HCC patients. Dlg5-silencing promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invadopodium formation, gelatin degradation function, and invadopodium-associated invasion of HepG2 cells. In contrast, Dlg5 overexpression inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition, functional invadopodium formation, and invasion of SK-Hep1 cells. Both Girdin and Tks5, but not the Tks5 nonphosphorylatable mutant, were responsible for the enhanced invadopodium formation and invasion of Dlg5-silenced HepG2 cells. Furthermore, Dlg5 interacted with Girdin and interfered with the interaction of Girdin and Tks5. Dlg5 silencing promoted Girdin and Tks5 phosphorylation, which was abrogated by Girdin silencing and rescued by inducing shRNA-resistant Girdin expression. Moreover, Dlg5 overexpression significantly inhibited HCC intrahepatic and lung metastasis in vivo. Taken together, our data indicate that Dlg5 acts as a novel regulator of invadopodium-associated invasion via Girdin and by interfering with the interaction between Girdin and Tks5, which might be important for Tks5 phosphorylation in HCC cells. Conceivably, Dlg5 may act as a new biomarker for prognosis of HCC patients.

Molecular mechanism of Gαi activation by non-GPCR proteins with a Gα-Binding and Activating motif

Heterotrimeric G proteins are quintessential signalling switches activated by nucleotide exchange on Gα. Although activation is predominantly carried out by G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), non-receptor guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) have emerged as critical signalling molecules and therapeutic targets. Here we characterize the molecular mechanism of G-protein activation by a family of non-receptor GEFs containing a Gα-binding and -activating (GBA) motif. We combine NMR spectroscopy, computational modelling and biochemistry to map changes in Gα caused by binding of GBA proteins with residue-level resolution. We find that the GBA motif binds to the SwitchII/α3 cleft of Gα and induces changes in the G-1/P-loop and G-2 boxes (involved in phosphate binding), but not in the G-4/G-5 boxes (guanine binding). Our findings reveal that G-protein-binding and activation mechanisms are fundamentally different between GBA proteins and GPCRs, and that GEF-mediated perturbation of nucleotide phosphate binding is sufficient for Gα activation.

Nonreceptor guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) are emerging as important regulators of heterotrimeric G proteins. Here, the authors present structural and mechanistic insights into how a class of nonreceptor GEFs containing the Ga-Binding and Activating motif interact and modulate G proteins.