Regulation of G protein function: implications for heart disease

Heterotrimeric GTP-binding and -hydrolyzing proteins (G proteins) link members of a family of seven-helix transmembrane receptors (G protein-coupled receptors, GPCR) to intracellular effectors. The coupling mechanism involves the G protein completing a cycle of activation, dissociation into alpha and beta gamma subunits, deactivation, and reassociation. At the center of this cycle is the alpha subunit, in which activation by GPCR, GTPase activity, and regulation of effector are combined. Whereas G alpha's functional domains and residues had already been inferred from mutagenesis studies, the recent solution of the crystal structure has elucidated the structural basis of alpha subunit function. It is now clear that an irregularity in any GPCR pathway component could cause a physiological defect. This is confirmed by the identification of mutations in GPCR and G alpha's in various human diseases. Although several cardiomyopathies are associated with abnormal GPCR function, mutations are unlikely in these disorders. The last few years, other aspects of G protein function have moved into focus: e.g. posttranslational modifications; effector regulation by beta gamma subunits; GTPase activating protein (GAP) activity of effectors; G protein expression levels etc. When comparing the regulation of G protein functional activity in cAMP and in inositol phosphate generating pathways, an extrapolation can be made to data on the status of these pathways in some cardiovascular diseases.