Heterotrimeric Gα proteins in kidney injury and disease.

Gα and Gα are ubiquitous members of the heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) family that play central and integrative roles in the regulation of signal transduction cascades within various cell types in the kidney. Gα/Gα proteins enable the kidney to adapt to an ever-changing environment by transducing stimuli from cell surface receptors and accessory proteins to effector systems. Therefore, perturbations in Gα/Gα levels or their activity can contribute to the pathogenesis of various renal diseases, including renal cancer. This review will highlight and discuss the complex and expanding roles of Gα/Gα proteins on distinct renal pathologies, with emphasis on more recently reported findings. Deciphering how the different Gα/Gα interaction networks participate in the onset and development of renal diseases may lead to the discovery of new therapeutic strategies.