p115 RhoGEF, a GTPase Activating Protein for G$\alpha_{12}$ and G$\alpha_{13}

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1998-06, Vol.280 (5372), p.2109-2111
• Main Authors: Kozasa, Tohru, Jiang, Xuejun, Hart, Matthew J., Sternweis, Pamela M., Singer, William D., Gilman, Alfred G., Bollag, Gideon, Sternweis, Paul C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino acids; GTPase activating proteins; Hydrolysis; Receptors; RGS proteins
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.280.5372.2109

Members of the regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) family stimulate the intrinsic guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity of the α subunits of certain heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins). The guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rho, p115 RhoGEF, has an amino-terminal region with similarity to RGS proteins. Recombinant p115 RhoGEF and a fusion protein containing the amino terminus of p115 had specific activity as GTPase activating proteins toward the α subunits of the G proteins G$_{12}$ and G$_{13}$, but not toward members of the G$_s$, G$_i$, or G$_q$ subfamilies of Gα proteins. This GEF may act as an intermediary in the regulation of Rho proteins by G$_{13}$ and G$_{12}$.