Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) are involved as modulators or transducers in various transmembrane signaling systems. The G_s protein is involved in hormonal regulation of adenylate cyclase: it activates the cyclase in response to beta-adrenergic stimuli. Alternative splicing of downstream exons of the GNAS gene is observed, which results in different forms of the stimulatory G protein alpha subunit, a key element of the classical signal transduction pathway linking receptor-ligand interactions with the activation of adenylyl cyclase and a variety of cellular reponses. Multiple transcript variants have been found for this gene, but the full-length nature and/or biological validity of some variants have not been determined. Mutations in this gene result in pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a, pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1b, Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism, McCune-Albright syndrome, progressive osseus heteroplasia, polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of bone, and some pituitary tumors.

Cell Membrane