Tails don't tell the whole story

Before engaging G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to transduce extracellular signals, heterotrimeric G proteins (G alpha beta gamma) must fold properly with the help of chaperones. In this issue of Structure, Papasergi-Scott et al. (2023) unveil the molecular basis for how mammalian Ric-8 chaperones achieve selectivity for their respective G alpha subunit clients.

Automated summary

The study reveals the mechanism by which mammalian Ric-8 chaperones achieve specificity for their respective Gα subunits.