Mechanism of G Protein Beta5/ R7-RGS Protein/ R7BP Complex Signal Transduction

National Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases

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Abstract

The purpose of the current work is to understand the signaling function, biology, and physiology of the evolutionarily-conserved GNB5/R7-RGS/R7BP complex in humans. To this end we are first trying to identify and characterize the functions of the Gbeta5 complex and its components in model systems such as cultured neuronal and/or neuroendocrine cells and cell lines, primary rodent brain neurons, and genetically-modified mice. The effect of the loss-of-function of Gnb5 and other Gnb5/R7-RGS/R7BP complex components in mice as well as the role of the Gnb5 complex in somatosensation are currently being examined using developmental, behavioral, immunohistochemical, and neuroanatomical analyses. Additional bioinformatic studies of human genomic data, gathered from publicly-available databases, are being performed to better understand the implications of germline GNB5 mutation in humans.