Two RGS proteins that inhibit Gαo and Gαq signaling in C. elegans neurons require a Gβ5-like subunit for function

Background: Gb proteins have traditionally been thought to complex with Address: Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Gg proteins to function as subunits of G protein heterotrimers. The Connecticut 06520, USA. divergent Gb5 protein, however, can bind either Gg proteins or regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins that contain a G gamma–like (GGL) Correspondence: Michael R. Koelle domain. RGS proteins inhibit G protein signaling by acting as Ga GTPase E-mail: [email protected] activators. While Gb5 appears to bind RGS proteins in vivo, its association with Gg proteins in vivo has not been clearly demonstrated. It is unclear Received: 15 November 2000 Revised: 4 January 2001 how Gb5 might influence RGS activity. In C. elegans there are exactly Accepted: 5 January 2001 two GGL-containing RGS proteins, EGL-10 and EAT-16, and they inhibit Gao and Gaq signaling, respectively. Published: 20 February 2001