Endogenous RGS proteins regulate presynaptic and postsynaptic function: Functional expression of RGS-insensitive Gα subunits in central nervous system neurons

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS)-insensitive (RGSi) G-protein α subunits can be used to indirectly determine the function of endogenous RGS proteins in native cells. This article describes the application of RGSi Gα subunits to the study of endogenous RGS function in central nervous system (CNS) neurons. Presynaptic inhibition of neurotransmitter release was reconstituted in primary neurons using RGSi Gα_io subunits, whereas postsynaptic regulation of potassium channels was reconstituted using RGSi chimeras of Gα_q and Gα_i. These studies have shown that endogenous RGS proteins are essential for the rapid termination of some G-protein-mediated signals in CNS neurons, whereas these proteins are much less important for the regulation of other signals. Together, these techniques have helped reveal the complexity of RGS regulation of CNS function.