Molecular chaperoning function of Ric-8 is to fold nascent heterotrimeric G protein α subunits

Pui Yee Chan, Celestine J. Thomas, Stephen R. Sprang, Gregory G. Tall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have shown that resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase 8 (Ric- 8) proteins regulate an early step of heterotrimeric G protein α (Gα) subunit biosynthesis. Here, mammalian and plant cell-free translation systems were used to study Ric-8A action during Gα subunit translation and protein folding. Gα translation rates and overall produced protein amounts were equivalent in mock and Ric-8A-immunodepleted rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL). GDP-AlF4 -bound Gαi, Gαq, Gα13, and Gαs produced in mock-depleted RRL had characteristic resistance to limited trypsinolysis, showing that theseGproteins were folded properly. Gαi, Gαq, and Gα13, but not Gαs produced from Ric-8A-depleted RRL were not protected from trypsinization and therefore not folded correctly. Addition of recombinant Ric-8A to the Ric-8A-depleted RRL enhanced GDP-AlF4 -bound Gα subunit trypsin protection. Dramatic results were obtained in wheat germ extract (WGE) that has no endogenous Ric-8 component.WGE-translated Gαq was gel filtered and found to be an aggregate. Ric-8A supplementation ofWGE allowed production ofGαq that gel filtered as a ∼100 kDa Ric-8A:Gαq heterodimer. Addition of GTPγS toRic-8A- supplemented WGE Gαq translation resulted in dissociation of the Ric-8A:Gαq heterodimer and production of functional Gαq-GTPγS monomer. Excess Gβγ supplementation of WGE did not support functional Gαq production. The molecular chaperoning function of Ric-8 is to participate in the folding of nascent G protein α subunits.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3794-3799
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume110
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 5 2013

Keywords

  • Chaperone
  • GEF

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