Integrating energy calculations with functional assays to decipher the specificity of G protein-RGS protein interactions.

ABSTRACT: The diverse Regulator of G protein Signaling (RGS) family sets the timing of G protein signaling. To understand how the structure of RGS proteins determines their common ability to inactivate G proteins and their selective G protein recognition, we combined structure-based energy calculations with biochemical measurements of RGS activity. We found a previously unidentified group of variable 'Modulatory' residues that reside at the periphery of the RGS domain-G protein interface and fine-tune G protein recognition. Mutations of Modulatory residues in high-activity RGS proteins impaired RGS function, whereas redesign of low-activity RGS proteins in critical Modulatory positions yielded complete gain of function. Therefore, RGS proteins combine a conserved core interface with peripheral Modul

SUBMITTER: Kosloff M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3130846 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature