Thinking outside of the "RGS box": new approaches to therapeutic targeting of regulators of G protein signaling

Mol Pharmacol. 2010 Oct;78(4):550-7. doi: 10.1124/mol.110.065219. Epub 2010 Jul 27.

Abstract

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are emerging as potentially important drug targets. The mammalian RGS protein family has more than 20 members and they share a common ∼120-residue RGS homology domain or "RGS box." RGS proteins regulate signaling via G protein-coupled receptors by accelerating GTPase activity at active α subunits of G proteins of the G(q) and G(i/o) families. Most studies searching for modulators of RGS protein function have been focused on inhibiting the GTPase accelerating protein activity. However, many RGS proteins contain additional domains that serve other functions, such as interactions with proteins or subcellular targeting. Here, we discuss a rationale for therapeutic targeting of RGS proteins by regulation of expression or allosteric modulation to permit either increases or decreases in RGS function. Several RGS proteins have reduced expression or function in pathophysiological states, so strategies to increase RGS function would be useful. Because several RGS proteins are rapidly degraded by the N-end rule pathway, finding ways to stabilize them may prove to be an effective way to enhance RGS protein function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / trends
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Nervous System Diseases / metabolism
  • RGS Proteins / metabolism*
  • RGS Proteins / physiology
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • RGS Proteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • GTP-Binding Proteins