Identification of two alpha-subunit species of GTP-binding proteins, Galpha15 and Galphaq, expressed in rat taste buds

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1998 Jul 24;1403(3):265-72. doi: 10.1016/s0167-4889(98)00062-7.

Abstract

We cloned cDNAs for two G protein alpha-subunits belonging to the Galphaq family, each capable of activating PLCbeta, from rat tongue. One is a Galphaq in the narrow sense, and the other, termed rat Galpha15, is a rat counterpart of mouse Galpha15, sharing an amino acid sequence similarity of 94%. RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that rat Galpha15 and Galphaq were distinctly expressed in tongue epithelia containing taste buds. Immunostaining also showed that rat Galpha15, together with the Galphaq, was localized mainly in taste buds. These studies suggest the possibility that these two Galpha proteins function for taste signal transduction in sensory cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • COS Cells
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins*
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / metabolism
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mouth Mucosa / metabolism
  • Phospholipase C beta
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Taste / physiology
  • Taste Buds / metabolism*
  • Tongue / metabolism
  • Type C Phospholipases / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Isoenzymes
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate
  • Type C Phospholipases
  • Phospholipase C beta
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • G protein alpha 16
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11
  • Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB015308