Membrane channels as integrators of G-protein-mediated signaling

A variety of extracellular stimuli regulate cellular responses via membrane receptors. A well-known group of seven-transmembrane domain-containing proteins referred to as G protein-coupled receptors, directly couple with the intracellular GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) across cell membranes and trigger various cellular responses by regulating the activity of several enzymes as well as ion channels. Many specific populations of ion channels are directly controlled by G proteins; however, indirect modulation of some channels by G protein-dependent phosphorylation events and lipid metabolism is also observed. G protein-mediated diverse modifications affect the ion channel activities and spatio-temporally regulate membrane potentials as well as of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in both excitatory and non-excitatory cells. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Reciprocal influences between cell cytoskeleton and membrane channels, receptors and transporters. Guest Editor: Jean Claude Herve. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.