G-proteins
Synonym(s)
Small G-proteins
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Abbreviation for "guanine nucleotide-binding proteins". G proteins occupy a key position in the signal transduction between receptor and second messenger systems.
A distinction is made between membrane-bound heterotrimeric G-proteins and cytosolic, monomeric, so-called "small" G-proteins.
General informationThis section has been translated automatically.
- Heterotrimeric G proteins consist of 3 subunits (α, β and γ). They occupy a key position in signal transduction and are responsible for physiological (e.g. sight, smell, blood pressure regulation etc.) and pathophysiological effects (e.g. arterial hypertension).
- Small G proteins (monomers) (20-40 kDa; > 100 different small G proteins are known) are divided into 5 families: Ras, Rho, Rab, Sar1/Arf and Ran. Small G-proteins are involved in the regulation of numerous cell functions:
- Regulation of gene expression (Ras and Rho)
- Regulation of the cytoskeleton (Rho)
- Regulation of vesicle transport (Rab and Sar1/Arf)
- Regulation of the transport between cytoplasm and nucleus (Ran).
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Aktories K et al (2005) Bacterial cytotoxins: targeting eukaryotic switches. Nat Rev Microbiol 3: 397-410