[The structure, classification and function of RGS proteins]

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) are a family of highly diverse, multifunctional signaling proteins that bind directly to activated Galpha subunits and markedly stimulates the GTPase activity of Galpha subunits leading to their deactivation and termination of downstream signals. RGS family members share a conserved 130-amino acid core domain which is responsible for binding Galpha subunits and negatively regulate G protein signal. Many RGS proteins possess additional non RGS domains and motifs. The non RGS domains are involved to integrate different G protein signaling pathways and as a saffolding protein that links G protein to related signaling proteins.