Regulation of transcription factors by heterotrimeric G proteins

Curr Mol Pharmacol. 2009 Jan;2(1):19-31. doi: 10.2174/1874467210902010019.

Abstract

Lessons from viral hijacks of cells and cancer biology suggest that the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) often results in the modulation of various transcription factors and cofactors. Since drugs acting on GPCRs represent a significant portion of therapeutic agents currently in use, it is important to understand the actions of GPCRs on gene expression. GPCRs and their associated heterotrimeric G proteins are known to regulate gene transcription through complex signaling networks. The G protein-mediated signaling cascades have been extensively studied and accumulating evidence indicates that the four subfamilies of G proteins may utilize both common and unique pathways for transcriptional regulation. This review aims to provide a contemporary account of our understanding on the regulation of transcription factors by GPCRs, with a special emphasis on specific regulations of transcription factors such as STAT3 and NF-kappaB by individual G protein subfamilies. Functional impacts of the signal integration between different pathways and the contributions by other GPCR-interacting molecules will also be briefly discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / metabolism
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • NF-kappa B
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Transcription Factors
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins