G12/G13-mediated signalling in mammalian physiology and disease

T Worzfeld, N Wettschureck, S Offermanns - Trends in pharmacological …, 2008 - cell.com
Trends in pharmacological sciences, 2008cell.com
The human genome encodes hundreds of G-protein-coupled receptors. Their intracellular
effects, however, are mediated by only four families of heterotrimeric G proteins: G s, G i/G o,
G q/G 11 and G 12/G 13. Progress in the knowledge about the G 12/G 13 family has
somewhat lagged behind because their downstream effectors remained unknown for
several years, and tools to specifically interfere with G 12/G 13-mediated signalling were,
therefore, missing. However, with the identification of G 12/G 13-regulated signalling …
The human genome encodes hundreds of G-protein-coupled receptors. Their intracellular effects, however, are mediated by only four families of heterotrimeric G proteins: Gs, Gi/Go, Gq/G11 and G12/G13. Progress in the knowledge about the G12/G13 family has somewhat lagged behind because their downstream effectors remained unknown for several years, and tools to specifically interfere with G12/G13-mediated signalling were, therefore, missing. However, with the identification of G12/G13-regulated signalling pathways and the recent application of new techniques, such as conditional gene inactivation, RNA interference or expression of inhibitory proteins, new insights into the in vivo functions of this G-protein family have been gained. It has become clear that this pathway regulates cellular proliferation, movement and morphology in many different organs and that it is centrally involved in various diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disorders. Here, we focus on recent progress made in the analyses of the in vivo functions of mammalian G12/G13-mediated signalling.
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