Invited review: Activation of G proteins by GTP and the mechanism of G?-catalyzed GTP hydrolysis.

ABSTRACT: This review addresses the regulatory consequences of the binding of GTP to the alpha subunits (G?) of heterotrimeric G proteins, the reaction mechanism of GTP hydrolysis catalyzed by G? and the means by which GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) stimulate the GTPase activity of G?. The high energy of GTP binding is used to restrain and stabilize the conformation of the G? switch segments, particularly switch II, to afford stable complementary to the surfaces of G? effectors, while excluding interaction with G??, the regulatory binding partner of GDP-bound G?. Upon GTP hydrolysis, the energy of these conformational restraints is dissipated and the two switch segments, particularly switch II, become flexible and are able to adopt a conformation suitable for tight binding to G??. Catalytic site pre-organization presents a significant activation energy barrier to G? GTPase activity. The glutamine residue near the N-terminus of switch II (Glncat ) must adopt a conformation in which it orients and stabilizes the ? phosphate and the water nucleophile for an in-line attack. The transition state is probably loose with dissociative character; phosphoryl transfer may be concerted. The catalytic arginine in switch I (Argcat ), together with amide hydrogen bonds from the phosphate binding loop, stabilize charge at the ?-? bridge oxygen of the leaving group. GAPs that harbor "regulator of protein signaling" (RGS) domains, or structurally unrelated domains within G protein effectors that function as GAPs, accelerate catalysis by stabilizing the pre-transition state for G?-catalyzed GTP hydrolysis, primarily by restraining Argcat and Glncat to their catalytic conformations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 449-462, 2016.

SUBMITTER: Sprang SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5319639 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature