G Proteins and GPCRs in <i>C. elegans</i> Development: A Story of Mutual Infidelity
Many vital processes during <i>C. elegans</i> development, especially the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity in embryogenesis, are controlled by complex signaling pathways. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as the four Frizzled family Wnt receptors, are linchpins in r...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Developmental Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/6/4/28 |
| _version_ | 1819159902166188032 |
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| author | Daniel Matúš Simone Prömel |
| author_facet | Daniel Matúš Simone Prömel |
| author_sort | Daniel Matúš |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many vital processes during <i>C. elegans</i> development, especially the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity in embryogenesis, are controlled by complex signaling pathways. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as the four Frizzled family Wnt receptors, are linchpins in regulating and orchestrating several of these mechanisms. However, despite being GPCRs, which usually couple to G proteins, these receptors do not seem to activate classical heterotrimeric G protein-mediated signaling cascades. The view on signaling during embryogenesis is further complicated by the fact that heterotrimeric G proteins do play essential roles in cell polarity during embryogenesis, but their activity is modulated in a predominantly GPCR-independent manner via G protein regulators such as GEFs GAPs and GDIs. Further, the triggered downstream effectors are not typical. Only very few GPCR-dependent and G protein-mediated signaling pathways have been unambiguously defined in this context. This unusual and highly intriguing concept of separating GPCR function and G-protein activity, which is not restricted to embryogenesis in <i>C. elegans</i> but can also be found in other organisms, allows for essential and multi-faceted ways of regulating cellular communication and response. Although its relevance cannot be debated, its impact is still poorly discussed, and <i>C. elegans</i> is an ideal model to understand the underlying principles. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T16:47:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7c26e94bfdd842a285ee42758e26bca2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2221-3759 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T16:47:56Z |
| publishDate | 2018-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Developmental Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-7c26e94bfdd842a285ee42758e26bca22022-12-21T18:19:41ZengMDPI AGJournal of Developmental Biology2221-37592018-11-01642810.3390/jdb6040028jdb6040028G Proteins and GPCRs in <i>C. elegans</i> Development: A Story of Mutual InfidelityDaniel Matúš0Simone Prömel1Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, GermanyRudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, GermanyMany vital processes during <i>C. elegans</i> development, especially the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity in embryogenesis, are controlled by complex signaling pathways. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as the four Frizzled family Wnt receptors, are linchpins in regulating and orchestrating several of these mechanisms. However, despite being GPCRs, which usually couple to G proteins, these receptors do not seem to activate classical heterotrimeric G protein-mediated signaling cascades. The view on signaling during embryogenesis is further complicated by the fact that heterotrimeric G proteins do play essential roles in cell polarity during embryogenesis, but their activity is modulated in a predominantly GPCR-independent manner via G protein regulators such as GEFs GAPs and GDIs. Further, the triggered downstream effectors are not typical. Only very few GPCR-dependent and G protein-mediated signaling pathways have been unambiguously defined in this context. This unusual and highly intriguing concept of separating GPCR function and G-protein activity, which is not restricted to embryogenesis in <i>C. elegans</i> but can also be found in other organisms, allows for essential and multi-faceted ways of regulating cellular communication and response. Although its relevance cannot be debated, its impact is still poorly discussed, and <i>C. elegans</i> is an ideal model to understand the underlying principles.https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/6/4/28GPCRsG proteinsdevelopmentreceptor-independent function |
| spellingShingle | Daniel Matúš Simone Prömel G Proteins and GPCRs in <i>C. elegans</i> Development: A Story of Mutual Infidelity Journal of Developmental Biology GPCRs G proteins development receptor-independent function |
| title | G Proteins and GPCRs in <i>C. elegans</i> Development: A Story of Mutual Infidelity |
| title_full | G Proteins and GPCRs in <i>C. elegans</i> Development: A Story of Mutual Infidelity |
| title_fullStr | G Proteins and GPCRs in <i>C. elegans</i> Development: A Story of Mutual Infidelity |
| title_full_unstemmed | G Proteins and GPCRs in <i>C. elegans</i> Development: A Story of Mutual Infidelity |
| title_short | G Proteins and GPCRs in <i>C. elegans</i> Development: A Story of Mutual Infidelity |
| title_sort | g proteins and gpcrs in i c elegans i development a story of mutual infidelity |
| topic | GPCRs G proteins development receptor-independent function |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/6/4/28 |
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