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Citation
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HERO ID
7670244
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
The G protein alpha subunit has a key role in determining the specificity of coupling to, but not the activation of, G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K(+) channels
Author(s)
Leaney, JL; Milligan, G; Tinker, A
Year
2000
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Journal of Biological Chemistry
ISSN:
0021-9258
EISSN:
1083-351X
Volume
275
Issue
2
Page Numbers
921-929
Language
English
PMID
10625628
DOI
10.1074/jbc.275.2.921
Abstract
In neuronal and atrial tissue, G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K(+) channels (Kir3.x family) are responsible for mediating inhibitory postsynaptic potentials and slowing the heart rate. They are activated by Gbetagamma dimers released in response to the stimulation of receptors coupled to inhibitory G proteins of the G(i/o) family but not receptors coupled to the stimulatory G protein G(s). We have used biochemical, electrophysiological, and molecular biology techniques to examine this specificity of channel activation. In this study we have succeeded in reconstituting such specificity in an heterologous expression system stably expressing a cloned counterpart of the neuronal channel (Kir3.1 and Kir3.2A heteromultimers). The use of pertussis toxin-resistant G protein alpha subunits and chimeras between G(i1) and G(s) indicate a central role for the G protein alpha subunits in determining receptor specificity of coupling to, but not activation of, G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K(+) channels.
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