Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding
Published on: June 9, 2017
Gγ and Gα Identity Dictate a G-Protein Heterotrimer Plasma Membrane Targeting
Paweł Mystek1, Beata Rysiewicz2, Jan Gregrowicz3
1Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland. pawel.mystek@uj.edu.pl.
Abstract:
Heterotrimeric G-proteins along with G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate many biochemical functions by relaying the information from the plasma membrane to the inside of the cell. The lipid modifications of Gα and Gγ subunits, together with the charged regions on the membrane interaction surface, provide a peculiar pattern for various heterotrimeric complexes. In a previous study, we found that Gαs and Gαi3 prefer different types of membrane-anchor and subclass-specific lipid domains. In the present report, we examine the role of distinct Gγ subunits in the membrane localization and spatiotemporal dynamics of Gαs and Gαi3 heterotrimers. We characterized lateral diffusion and G-protein subunit interactions in living cells using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) microscopy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) detected by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), respectively. The interaction of Gγ subunits with specific lipids was confirmed, and thus the modulation of heterotrimeric G-protein localization. However, the Gα subunit also modulates trimer localization, and so the membrane distribution of heterotrimeric G-proteins is not dependent on Gγ only.
More Related Videos
09:45Construction of Model Lipid Membranes Incorporating G-protein Coupled Receptors GPCRs
Published on: February 5, 2022
07:41A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators
Published on: February 20, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical,...
G-protein Coupled Receptors
G Protein-coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or serpentine receptors, and consist of seven (H1-H7) transmembrane alpha-helices that span the bilayer to form a cylindrical core. The transmembrane helices are connected by three extracellular loops and three...
GTPases and their Regulation
Large G-proteins,...
GTPases and their Regulation