Biology of heterotrimeric G-protein signaling.

The G proteins are components of a complex membrane signaling system designed to modulate extracellular signals as they are transmitted into the cell. The principal components are the receptor, the G proteins including the alpha, beta, gamma subunits and the effector. Associated with these molecules are several molecular processes by which the signal is transmitted, and regulated including desensitization. Molecules such as arrestin, the RGS (regulators of the G-protein signaling) as well as downstream kinases associated with cyclic AMP are key to regulating the G protein signal. Membrane lipids are key for both anchoring this signal system to the plasma membrane but also in defining the signaling process. Through understanding the biology of the signal system, a number of diseases have been linked to dysfunction of the G protein system. It is clear that this important membrane signal system will become the target for more intense investigation and pharmacologic manipulation to treat critical illness.

G蛋白是一个复杂的膜信号系统的组成部分，该系统旨在调节细胞外信号向细胞内的传递。主要组成部分包括受体、G蛋白（包括α、β、γ亚基）以及效应器。与这些分子相关的有几个分子过程，信号通过这些过程进行传递和调节，包括脱敏作用。诸如抑制蛋白、RGS（G蛋白信号调节因子）以及与环腺苷酸相关的下游激酶等分子是调节G蛋白信号的关键。膜脂质对于将该信号系统锚定在质膜上以及确定信号传递过程都至关重要。通过了解该信号系统的生物学特性，许多疾病已被与G蛋白系统功能失调联系起来。显然，这个重要的膜信号系统将成为更深入研究和药物调控的目标，以治疗重症疾病。