cGMP-dependent protein kinase

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Identifiers
Symbol PRKG1
Alt. Symbols PRKGR1B, PRKG1B
Entrez 5592
HUGO 9414
OMIM 176894
RefSeq NM_006258
UniProt P14619
Other data
Locus Chr. 10 q11.2
protein kinase, cGMP-dependent, type II
Identifiers
Symbol PRKG2
Entrez 5593
HUGO 9416
OMIM 601591
RefSeq NM_006259
UniProt Q13237
Other data
Locus Chr. 4 q13.1-21.1


cGMP-dependent protein kinase or Protein Kinase G (PKG) is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase that is activated by cGMP. It phosphorylates a number of biologically important targets and is implicated in the regulation of smooth muscle relaxation, platelet function, sperm metabolism, cell division ,and nucleic acid synthesis.

Contents

[edit] Genes and proteins

PKG are serine/threonine kinases that are present in a variety of eukaryotes ranging from the unicellular organism Paramecium to humans. Two PKG genes, coding for PKG type I (PKG-I) and type II (PKG-II), have been identified in mammals. The N-terminus of PKG-I is encoded by two alternatively spliced exons that specify for the PKG-Iα and PKG-Iβ isoforms. PKG-Iβ is activated at ~10-fold higher cGMP concentrations than PKG-Iα. The PKG-I and PKG-II are homodimers of two identical subunits (~75 kDa and ~85 kDa, respectively) and share common structural features.

Each subunit is composed of three functional domains:

  • (1) an N-terminal domain that mediates homodimerization, suppression of the kinase activity in the absence of cGMP, and interactions with other proteins including protein substrates
  • (2) a regulatory domain that contains two non-identical cGMP-binding sites
  • (3) a kinase domain that catalyzes the phosphate transfer from ATP to the hydroxyl group of a serine/threonine side chain of the target protein

Binding of cGMP to the regulatory domain induces a conformational change that releases the inhibition of the catalytic core by the N-terminus and allows the phosphorylation of substrate proteins. Whereas PKG-I is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm, PKG-II is anchored to the plasma membrane by N-terminal myristoylation.

[edit] Tissue distribution

In general, PKG-I and PKG-II are expressed in different cell types.

Specifically, in smooth muscle tissue, PKG phosphorylates the Myosin light chain phosphatase which dephosphorylates the myosin light chains initiating smooth muscle relaxation.

[edit] Role in Cancer

On 18 July 2007 it was discovered that cancerous colon cells stop producing PKG, which apparently limits beta-catenin thus allowing the VEGF enzyme to solicit angiogenesis.[1]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links