Ric-8B stabilizes the alpha subunit of stimulatory G protein by inhibiting its ubiquitination

J Biol Chem. 2010 Apr 9;285(15):11114-20. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M109.063313. Epub 2010 Feb 4.

Abstract

The alpha subunit of stimulatory G protein (G alpha(s)) activates adenylyl cyclase, which catalyzes cAMP production, and regulates many physiological aspects, such as cardiac regulation and endocrine systems. Ric-8B (resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase 8B) has been identified as the G alpha(s)-binding protein; however, its role in G(s) signaling remains obscure. In this study, we present evidence that Ric-8B specifically and positively regulates G(s) signaling by stabilizing the G alpha(s) protein. An in vitro biochemical study suggested that Ric-8B does not possess guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity. However, knockdown of Ric-8B attenuated beta-adrenergic agonist-induced cAMP accumulation, indicating that Ric-8B positively regulates G(s) signaling. Interestingly, overexpression and knockdown of Ric-8B resulted in an increase and a decrease in the G alpha(s) protein, respectively, without affecting the G alpha(s) mRNA level. We found that the G alpha(s) protein is ubiquitinated and that this ubiquitination is inhibited by Ric-8B. This Ric-8B-mediated inhibition of G alpha(s) ubiquitination requires interaction between Ric-8B and G alpha(s) because Ric-8B splicing variants, which are defective for G alpha(s) binding, failed to inhibit the ubiquitination. Taken together, these results suggest that Ric-8B plays a critical and specific role in the control of G alpha(s) protein levels by modulating G alpha(s) ubiquitination and positively regulates G(s) signaling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cycloheximide / pharmacology
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / chemistry
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / physiology*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Signal Transduction
  • Ubiquitin / chemistry
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / chemistry
  • Ubiquitination*

Substances

  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Ric8a protein, mouse
  • Ric8b protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin
  • Cycloheximide
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs
  • RIC8B protein, human