Regulation of the Golgi structure by the α subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins

Abstract
Disassembly of the Golgi apparatus is elicited by the action of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and this disassembly is prevented by the activation of heterotrimeric G proteins. In the present study we showed that overexpression of Gαz or Gαi2 significantly suppresses the disassembly of the Golgi apparatus induced by NDGA. Overexpression of Gβ1γ2, on the other hand, had no effect on NDGA-induced Golgi disassembly. Gαz neither blocked Golgi disassembly induced by brefeldin A or nocodazole, nor interfered with protein transport, suggesting its specificity on the action of NDGA. Our results suggest that the α subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins are responsible for the maintenance of the Golgi structure