Polypeptides that define a protein family termed RGS (for regulators of G-protein signalling) are encoded by the SST2 gene of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the EGL-10 gene of the nematode Caenorhabdatis elegans, and several related mammalian genes. Genetic studies in invertebrates and mammalian cell-transfection experiments indicate that RGS proteins negatively regulate signalling pathways involving seven transmembrane receptors and heterotrimeric G proteins. However, the biochemical mechanism by which RGS proteins control these pathways is unknown. Here we report the characterization of human RGS10, a member of this protein family. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrate that RGS10 associates specifically with the activated forms of two related G-protein subunits, G alphai3, and G alphaz, but fails to interact with the structurally and functionally distinct G alphas subunit. In vitro assays with purified proteins indicate that RGS10 increases potently and selectively the GTP hydrolytic activity of several members of the G alphai family, including G alphai3, G alphaz, and G alpha0. These results demonstrate that RGS proteins can attenuate signalling pathways involving heterotrimeric G proteins by serving as GTPase-activating proteins for specific types of G alpha subunits.

Among HIV-infected patients with renal disease other than HIVAN, viral suppression and the use of antiretroviral therapy are not associated with a beneficial effect on renal function; thus, additional therapeutic strategies may need to be utilized. Because renal histology is associated with prognostic differences, these data provide outcomes information that will improve the clinical utility of renal biopsy among HIV-infected patients with renal disease.

Although the prognosis for patients with early-stage breast cancer has improved, the therapeutic options for patients with locally advanced and metastatic disease are limited. To improve the treatment of these patients, the molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer invasion and metastasis must be understood. In this study, we report that signaling through the G12 family of heterotrimeric G proteins (G␣12 and G␣13) promotes breast cancer cell invasion. Moreover, we demonstrate that inhibition of G12 signaling reduces the metastatic dissemination of breast cancer cells in vivo. Finally, we demonstrate that the expression of G␣12 is significantly up-regulated in the earliest stages of breast cancer, implying that amplification of G12 signaling may be an early event in breast cancer progression. Taken together, these observations identify the G12 family proteins as important regulators of breast cancer invasion and suggest that these proteins may be targeted to limit invasion-and metastasis-induced patient morbidity and mortality.cadherin ͉ Rho ͉ G protein-coupled receptor

Pertussis toxin (PTX) has been widely used as a reagent to characterize the involvement of heterotrimeric G-proteins in signalling. This toxin catalyses the ADP-ribosylation of specific G-protein alpha subunits of the Gi family, and this modification prevents the occurrence of the receptor-G-protein interaction. This review focuses on the biochemical properties and signalling of those G-proteins historically classified as 'PTX-resistant' due to the inability of the toxin to influence signalling through them. These G-proteins include members of the Gq and G12 families and one Gi family member, i.e. Gz. Signalling pathways controlled by these G-proteins are well characterized only for Gq family members, which activate specific isoforms of phospholipase C, resulting in increases in intracellular calcium and activation of protein kinase C (PKC), among other responses. While members of the G12 family have been implicated in processes that regulate cell growth, and Gz has been shown to inhibit adenylate cyclase, the specific downstream targets to these G-proteins in vivo have not been clearly established. Since two of these proteins, G12 alpha and Gz alpha, are excellent substrates for PKC, there is the potential for cross-talk between their signalling and Gq-dependent processes leading to activation of PKC. In tissues that express these G-proteins, a number of guanine-nucleotide-dependent, PTX-resistant, signalling pathways have been defined for which the G-protein involved has not been identified. This review summarizes these pathways and discusses the evidence both for the participation of specific PTX-resistant G-proteins in them and for the regulation of these processes by PKC.