Identification of three forms of the gamma subunit of G proteins isolated from bovine spleen

Proteomic analysis of bovine brain G protein gamma subunit processing heterogeneity

We characterized the variable processing of the G protein gamma subunit isoforms associated with bovine brain G proteins, a primary mediator of cellular communication. Ggamma subunits were isolated from purified brain G proteins and characterized by Edman sequencing, by MALDI MS, by chemical and/or enzymatic fragmentation assayed by MALDI MS, and by MS/MS fragmentation and sequencing. Multiple forms of six different Ggamma isoforms were detected. Significant variation in processing was found at both the amino termini and particularly the carboxyl termini of the proteins. All Ggamma isoforms contain a carboxyl-terminal CAAX motif for prenylation, carboxyl-terminal proteolysis, and carboxymethylation. Characterization of these proteins indicates significant variability in the normal processing of all of these steps in the prenylation reaction, including a new variation of prenyl processing resulting from cysteinylation of the carboxyl terminus. These results have multiple implications for intracellular signaling mechanisms by G proteins, for the role of prenyl processing variation in cell signaling, and for the site of action and consequences of drugs that target the prenylation modification.

Structure of human G protein G gamma 5 gene GNG5

Heterotrimeric G-proteins consist of alpha, beta and gamma subunits that together function in numerous signal transduction pathways. Ggamma subunits form dimers with Gbeta-subunits which together can significantly contribute to signal transduction. So far 11 Ggamma subunit isoforms have been found. Ggamma5 appears to be the most prominently occurring Ggamma-subunit and we now report the genomic structure of human GNG5. The gene spans 6 kb and consists of four exons that range from 92 bp to 290 bp and three introns that range from 134 bp to 3.3 kb. Intron-exon boundaries conform to GT-AG consensus splice junctions. Alternative transcriptional start sites that result from two separate, closely linked promoters in the 5'-flanking region of the gene were confirmed by luciferase reporter-gene assay.

Identification of two forms of the gamma subunit of G protein, gamma10 and gamma11, in bovine lung and their tissue distribution in the rat

Two forms of the gamma subunit of G protein were purified from bovine lung, and were identified as gamma10 and gamma11 by analyses of partial amino acid sequences and reactivity with specific antibodies. The N-terminal amino acid residue of gamma11 was an unmodified Pro2, and the purified gamma11 was freed from beta even under non-denaturing conditions. Western blots with specific antibodies against gamma10 and gamma11 showed that both gamma subunits are present in a variety of tissues in the rat, with a particular abundance of gamma11 in the platelets.

Primary structure of a gamma subunit of G protein, gamma 12, and its phosphorylation by protein kinase C

We have determined the primary structure of a novel gamma subunit (gamma 12, previously designated gamma S1) of G protein purified from bovine spleen. The mature gamma 12 protein composed of 68 amino acids had acetylated serine at the N terminus and geranylgeranylated/carboxylmethylated cysteine at the C terminus. This was consistent with the C-terminal prenylation signal in the amino acid sequence, which was predicted from gamma 12 cDNA isolated from a bovine spleen cDNA library. Western blots with the specific antibody against gamma 12 showed that gamma 12 is present in all tissues examined. Among various gamma subunits (gamma 1, gamma 2, gamma 3, gamma 7, and gamma 12), gamma 12 has a unique property to be phosphorylated by protein kinase C. The phosphorylated amino acid residue was Ser1 (or Ser2). The phosphorylated beta gamma 12 associated with Go alpha more tightly than the unphosphorylated form. Exposure of Swiss 3T3 and aortic smooth muscle cells to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and NaF induced phosphorylation of gamma 12. Stimulation of aortic smooth muscle cells with natural vasoactive agents such as angiotensin II and vasopressin also induced phosphorylation of gamma 12. The extent of phosphorylation of beta gamma 12 in vitro was suppressed by a complex formation with Go alpha, which was relieved by the addition of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) or aluminum fluoride. These results strongly suggest that gamma 12 is phosphorylated by protein kinase C during activation of receptor(s) and G protein(s) in living cells.

A brain-specific gamma subunit of G protein freed from the corresponding beta subunit under non-denaturing conditions

It has generally been accepted that the beta and gamma subunits of G proteins are tightly associated and can only be dissociated under denaturing conditions. However, one form of the gamma subunit, free of the beta subunit, was isolated under non-denaturing conditions during the purification of beta gamma complexes from bovine brain. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that the N-terminus of this gamma subunit was not blocked and its sequence was identical to that of a brain-specific gamma subunit, gamma 3. Among three forms of gamma subunits observed in bovine brain (gamma 2, gamma 3 and gamma 7), gamma 3 was the only form that was not modified at the N-terminus. Although the physiological significance of the free form of gamma 3 is not clear, these results suggest that N-terminal modification of gamma subunits may be important for interaction with beta subunits.