DEVELOPMENTAL REGULATION OF THE ALPHA-SUBUNIT OF G(Q) G(11) AS DETERMINED BY QUANTITATIVE IMMUNOBLOT ANALYSIS/

We have used immunoblot analysis with glutathione and S-transferase fu sion proteins as protein standards to examine expression of G(alpha q/ II) in membrane preparations from different organs and to assess chang es during normal development. Adult rat tissues expressed 4 -25 pmol/m g membrane protein G(alpha q/II) with neonates expressing two to three times higher levels in several tissues (brain, heart, liver, and kidn ey). By contrast, levels of G(aq/II) in lung were similar in adults an d neonates. A G(aq)-specific antiserum confirmed the high expression i n neonatal brain, heart, liver and kidney. Our results show that G(aq) is developmentally regulated in many rat tissues. (C) 1995 Academic P ress, Inc.