Identification of two novel GTP-binding protein alpha-subunits that lack apparent ADP-ribosylation sites for pertussis toxin.

Molecular cloning of cDNAs encoding alpha-subunits of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins) has revealed the existence of nine species of alpha-subunits. We have identified two additional G-protein alpha-subunits, which we refer to as GL1 alpha and GL2 alpha, by isolating bovine liver cDNA clones that cross-hybridized at reduced stringency with bovine Gi1 alpha-subunit cDNA. The deduced amino acid sequences of GL1 alpha and GL2 alpha share 83% identity with each other and show 45-55% identity with those of other known G-protein alpha-subunits. Both GL1 alpha and GL2 alpha lack a consensus site for ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin. Messenger RNA corresponding to GL2 alpha was detected in all tissues examined, but GL1 alpha mRNA was detected only in liver, lung, and kidney. Antiserum prepared against a synthetic pentadecapeptide corresponding to the deduced carboxyl terminus of GL2 alpha specifically reacted with a 40-kDa protein in mouse liver, brain, lung, heart, kidney, and spleen. The amount of the 40-kDa protein was highest in brain and lung. We suggest that GL1 alpha and GL2 alpha are new members of a subfamily of pertussis toxin-insensitive G-proteins.