Activated heterotrimeric G protein α subunits inhibit Rap-dependent cell adhesion and promote cell migration.

Our recent work uncovered novel roles for activated Gα signaling in the regulation of neutrophil polarity and adhesion. GαGTP-mediated enhancement of neutrophil polarization was dependent on inhibition of cAMP/PKA signaling, whereas reversal of Gβγ-stimulated adhesion was cAMP/PKA independent. To uncover the mechanism for Gα regulation of adhesion, we analyzed the effects of constitutively active Gα(Q204L) expression on adhesion driven by constitutively active Rap1a(G12V) or its downstream effector Radil in neutrophil-like HL-60 cells, or in HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells.

Inhibition of G Protein βγ Subunit Signaling Abrogates Nephritis in Lupus-Prone Mice.

Objective: Despite considerable advances in the understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), there is still an urgent need for new and more targeted treatment approaches. We previously demonstrated that small-molecule blockade of G protein βγ subunit (Gβγ) signaling inhibits acute inflammation through inhibition of chemokine receptor signal transduction. We undertook this study to determine whether inhibition of Gβγ signaling ameliorates disease in a mouse model of SLE.

Dynamic regulation of neutrophil polarity and migration by the heterotrimeric G protein subunits Gαi-GTP and Gβγ.

Activation of the Gi family of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) releases βγ subunits, which are the major transducers of chemotactic G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-dependent cell migration. The small molecule 12155 binds directly to Gβγ and activates Gβγ signaling without activating the Gαi subunit in the Gi heterotrimer. We used 12155 to examine the relative roles of Gαi and Gβγ activation in the migration of neutrophils on surfaces coated with the integrin ligand intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).