Lipid modifications and membrane targeting of G alpha

Abstract

G protein alpha-subunits (G alpha) undergo palmitoylation and/or myristoylation. This review will focus on new insights into the function and regulation of these fatty acid modifications of G alpha. Most importantly, I will examine lipid modifications of G alpha in the context of a two-signal model for membrane attachment, discuss recent advances in the identification of palmitoyl transferases, and highlight several controversial issues in this field.