The heterotrimeric G-protein subunits GNG-1 and GNB-1 form a Gbetagamma dimer required for normal female fertility, asexual development, and galpha protein levels in Neurospora crassa

Eukaryot Cell. 2005 Feb;4(2):365-78. doi: 10.1128/EC.4.2.365-378.2005.

Abstract

We have identified a gene encoding a heterotrimeric G protein gamma subunit, gng-1, from the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. gng-1 possesses a gene structure similar to that of mammalian Ggamma genes, consisting of three exons and two introns, with introns present in both the open reading frame and 5'-untranslated region. The GNG-1 amino acid sequence displays high identity to predicted Ggamma subunits from other filamentous fungi, including Giberella zeae, Cryphonectria parasitica, Trichoderma harzianum, and Magnaporthe grisea. Deletion of gng-1 leads to developmental defects similar to those previously characterized for Deltagnb-1 (Gbeta) mutants. Deltagng-1, Deltagnb-1, and Deltagng-1 Deltagnb-1 strains conidiate inappropriately in submerged cultures and are female sterile, producing aberrant female reproductive structures. Similar to previous results obtained with Deltagnb-1 mutants, loss of gng-1 negatively influences levels of Galpha proteins (GNA-1, GNA-2, and GNA-3) in plasma membrane fractions isolated from various tissues of N. crassa and leads to a significant reduction in the amount of intracellular cyclic AMP. In addition, we show that GNB-1 is essential for maintenance of normal steady-state levels of GNG-1, suggesting a functional interaction between GNB-1 and GNG-1. Direct evidence for a physical association between GNB-1 and GNG-1 in vivo was provided by coimmunoprecipitation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Dimerization
  • Female
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits / metabolism*
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / chemistry*
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Targeting
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurospora crassa / cytology
  • Neurospora crassa / physiology*
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits
  • GTP-Binding Protein gamma Subunits
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Cyclic AMP