The 2.0 A crystal structure of a heterotrimeric G protein

Nature. 1996 Jan 25;379(6563):311-9. doi: 10.1038/379311a0.

Abstract

The structure of a heterotrimeric G protein reveals the mechanism of the nucleotide-dependent engagement of the alpha and beta gamma subunits that regulates their interaction with receptor and effector molecules. The interaction involves two distinct interfaces and dramatically alters the conformation of the alpha but not of the beta gamma subunits. The location of the known sites for post-translational modification and receptor coupling suggest a plausible orientation with respect to the membrane surface and an activated heptahelical receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Escherichia coli
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Guanosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Guanosine Triphosphate
  • GTP-Binding Proteins