Also, we were one of the first to determine the structural determinants that control the assembly of a and bg subunits into functionally-distinct G proteins. Finally, we and others were able to show that many of the signaling pathways in heart are regulated by one or more bg subunit complexes. Studies are underway to determine which particular b and g subunits are involved in these signaling pathways. In the future, it is hoped that a detailed understanding of the structural and functional diversity of the bg subunit complex will lead to a general understanding of its critical role in cellular signaling. Consistent with such a role, it should come as no surprise that alterations in the structure or expression of the genes encoding either the b or g subunits might have serious pathological consequences.
More examples are likely to follow.