A conserved protein interaction interface on the type 5 G protein beta subunit controls proteolytic stability and activity of R7 family regulator of G protein signaling proteins

J Biol Chem. 2010 Dec 24;285(52):41100-12. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.163600. Epub 2010 Oct 19.

Abstract

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins of the R7 subfamily limit signaling by neurotransmitters in the brain and by light in the retina. They form obligate complexes with the Gβ5 protein that are subject to proteolysis to control their abundance and alter signaling. The mechanisms that regulate this proteolysis, however, remain unclear. We used genetic screens to find mutations in Gβ5 that selectively destabilize one of the R7 RGS proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans. These mutations cluster at the binding interface between Gβ5 and the N terminus of R7 RGS proteins. Equivalent mutations within mammalian Gβ5 allowed the interface to still bind the N-terminal DEP domain of R7 RGS proteins, and mutant Gβ5-R7 RGS complexes initially formed in cells but were then rapidly degraded by proteolysis. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest the mutations weaken the Gβ5-DEP interface, thus promoting dynamic opening of the complex to expose determinants of proteolysis known to exist on the DEP domain. We propose that conformational rearrangements at the Gβ5-DEP interface are key to controlling the stability of R7 RGS protein complexes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / chemistry*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / chemistry*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Computer Simulation*
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / chemistry*
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RGS Proteins / chemistry*
  • RGS Proteins / genetics
  • RGS Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • GTP-Binding Protein beta Subunits
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • RGS Proteins