Gs alpha subunit

GNAS complex locus
Identifiers
Symbol GNAS
Alt. symbols GNAS1
Entrez 2778
HUGO 4392
OMIM 139320
RefSeq NM_000516
UniProt Q5JWF2
Other data
Locus Chr. 20 q13.2-13.3

The Gs alpha subunit (Gαs, G, or Gs protein) is a heterotrimeric G protein subunit that activates the cAMP-dependent pathway by activating adenylyl cyclase. It is one of the three main families of G proteins: Gαi/Gαo, Gαq, and Gαs.[1]

A mnemonic for remembering this subunit is to look at the first letters in each word (Gαs = Adenylate Syclase).

Receptors

The G protein-coupled receptors that couple to this kind of G-protein include:

Function

The general function of Gs is to activate adenylyl cyclase, which, in turn, produces cAMP, which, in turn activates cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Further effects of Gs are thus found in function of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

It provides a step in signal transduction. Amplification of the signal occurs for instance because the receptor activates several Gs. [2] However, each Gs activates only one adenylate cyclase.[2]

See also

References

  1. Ellis, Claire (Jul 2004). "The state of GPCR research in 2004". Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (3 ed.): 577–626. doi:10.1038/nrd1458.
  2. 1 2 Page 155 in: Purves (2007). Neuroscience, 4th Edition. Sinauer Associates Inc. ISBN 978-0-87893-697-7.

External links

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