The GoLoco Motif: Heralding a New Tango Between G Protein Signaling and Cell Division

The mammalian somatic cell cycle: Multiple levels of regulation by G protein signaling systems. Mitogenic hormones bind GPCRs to activate classical heterotrimeric G protein signaling pathways, leading to cell cycle entry and DNA synthesis. In addition, Gα_i and the multidomain protein RGS12 are present on mitotic chromatin, and evidence suggests they may regulate cytokinesis and the exit from mitosis. Gα_oβγ and the mammalian Pins analog LGN are present on the spindle microtubules and may directly regulate microtubule dynamics. LGN redistributes to the midbody structure separating daughter cells during late mitosis and may also participate in cytokinesis.