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Sci. STKE, 28 September 1999
Vol. 1999, Issue 1, p. tw6
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.11999tw6]

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Receptor crosstalk Passing signals by sharing subunits

Although the Gα subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins exhibit specificity for the receptors to which they couple, receptor interaction with Gβ{gamma} subunits appears to be less selective. Quitterer and Lohse now report that two different G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) appear to communicate with each other by sharing the same Gβ{gamma}. Activation of the Gαi-coupled receptor for adenosine A1 or the α2C adrenergic receptor stimulated signals that are propagated by Gαq-coupled receptors for bradykinin or UTP. The authors suggest that upon receptor stimulation, the Gαi -coupled receptor releases its Gβ{gamma} to the Gαq -coupled receptor. Once docked in its new home, Gβ{gamma} stimulates Gαq activation. Subunit exchange may therefore be one mechanism for crosstalk between GPCRs.

Quittere, U. and Lohse, M.J. (1999) Crosstalk between Gαi - and Gαq -coupled receptors is mediated by Gβ{gamma} exhange. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96:378-381. [Abstract] [Full Text]

Citation: Passing signals by sharing subunits. Sci. STKE 1999, tw6 (1999).

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