Partial cDNAs encoding G-protein alpha subunits in the rat vestibular periphery

To begin understanding what G-proteins are involved in signal transduction in the vestibular periphery, the expression of G alpha subunits in rat prim ary afferent neurons (Scarpa's ganglia) and end-organs was studied. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with degenerate primers c orresponding to two conserved regions of the G alpha protein coding sequenc e produced partial cDNAs encoding two distinct forms of G alpha(s) subunit (G alpha(s2) and anove) G alpha(s2) subunit-GenBank accession number AF1841 510); and two forms of G alpha(i2) subunits. A novel truncated form of G al pha(i2) (designated G alpha(i2(vest)), Gen Bank accession number AF189020) was detected in the vestibular periphery. G alpha(i2(vest)) was also expres sed in rat cerebellum and heart. The possible role of the identified G alph a protein cDNAs in the function of the vestibular periphery is discussed. ( C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.