The G-protein beta-subunit GPB-2 in Caenorhabditis elegans regulates the G(o)alpha-G(q)alpha signaling network through interactions with the regulator of G-protein signaling proteins EGL-10 and EAT-16

Genetics. 2001 May;158(1):221-35. doi: 10.1093/genetics/158.1.221.

Abstract

The genome of Caenorhabditis elegans harbors two genes for G-protein beta-subunits. Here, we describe the characterization of the second G-protein beta-subunit gene gpb-2. In contrast to gpb-1, gpb-2 is not an essential gene even though, like gpb-1, gpb-2 is expressed during development, in the nervous system, and in muscle cells. A loss-of-function mutation in gpb-2 produces a variety of behavioral defects, including delayed egg laying and reduced pharyngeal pumping. Genetic analysis shows that GPB-2 interacts with the GOA-1 (homologue of mammalian G(o)alpha) and EGL-30 (homologue of mammalian G(q)alpha) signaling pathways. GPB-2 is most similar to the divergent mammalian Gbeta5 subunit, which has been shown to mediate a specific interaction with a Ggamma-subunit-like (GGL) domain of RGS proteins. We show here that GPB-2 physically and genetically interacts with the GGL-containing RGS proteins EGL-10 and EAT-16. Taken together, our results suggest that GPB-2 works in concert with the RGS proteins EGL-10 and EAT-16 to regulate GOA-1 (G(o)alpha) and EGL-30 (G(q)alpha) signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Base Sequence
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
  • DNA Primers
  • GTP-Binding Protein Regulators*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Helminth Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phenotype
  • RGS Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • DNA Primers
  • EAT-16 protein, C elegans
  • EGL-10 protein, C elegans
  • GTP-Binding Protein Regulators
  • Helminth Proteins
  • RGS Proteins
  • GTP-Binding Proteins