siRNA干扰MMP-9和FAK双基因抑制小鼠黑色素瘤生长和在体迁移

目的:观察干扰MMP-9和FAK双基因对恶性黑色素瘤高转移细胞B16F10体内转移的影响。方法:构建PGV102-MMP9-siRNA、PGV102-FAK-siRNA重组质粒载体,脂质体^TM2000介导转染小鼠黑色素瘤B16F10细胞,RT-PCR检测基因的干扰效果;建立C57BL/6小鼠皮下移植瘤模型观察细胞在体成瘤和肿瘤的生长情况,常规组织切片,H&E染色观察肿瘤组织病理学特征;经C57BL/6小鼠尾静脉注射细胞5×10⁵个/只,24天后计数小鼠肺转移结节数评价肿瘤细胞在体迁移能力。结果:RT-PCR结果表明,重组质粒转染细胞组的MMP-9和FAK的mRNA水平显著低于正常细胞组(P<0.01),转染细胞组C57BL/6小鼠皮下成瘤的肿瘤生长速率、黑色素瘤肺转移结节数明显低于正常细胞组(P<0.01)。结论:干扰B16F10细胞MMP-9和FAK双基因可明显抑制小鼠体内恶性肿瘤的生长和迁移。     

艾氏腹水癌克隆细胞株E2G8建立小鼠动物模型生物学特性研究

目的　比较不同品种 (系 )小鼠接种E2G8细胞株的某些生物学特性。方法　将E2G8细胞稀释成不同浓度 ,接种KM、DBA 2、6 15、C57BL 6及BALB c小鼠皮下或腹腔 ,观察小鼠出现可见肿块 腹水时间及小鼠生存时间 ;测量肿块直径 (cm)及瘤重 ;荷瘤小鼠腹腔注射环磷酰胺 (CTX) ,观察E2G8细胞肿瘤模型对CTX治疗的敏感性。结果　E2G8接种BALB c、6 15小鼠皮下毒性最大 ,DBA 2、C57BL 6小鼠次之 ,接种KM小鼠皮下毒性最小 ;接种DBA 2、C57BL 6、6 15小鼠腹腔毒性较大 ,致死性高 ,对BALB c和KM小鼠的致死性弱 ;E2G8瘤细胞在KM和 4种纯系小鼠皮下均能很好生长肿瘤 ,其中在KM小鼠皮下肿瘤生长最大 ,在BALB c小鼠皮下肿瘤最小 ;KM、C57BL 6、6 15、DBA 2、BALB c小鼠皮下接种瘤细胞第 12天瘤重分别为 (2 4 0± 1 30 ) ,(0 90± 0 4 8) ,(1 2 0± 0 38) ,(1 10± 0 2 9) ,(0 80± 0 30 )g ;E2G8细胞接种 5个不同品种 (系 )小鼠制备的肿瘤模型 ,用CTX治疗 ,抑瘤率由高到低依次为6 6 7% (6 15 ) ,5 5 0 % (BALB c) ,5 3 3% (C57BL 6 ) ,5 0 % (KM) ,36 4 (DBA 2 ) ,其中 6 15小鼠建立的模型对CTX的治疗最敏感。结论　E2G8细胞株接种 5个不同品种 (系 )小鼠 ,所测生物学特性不完全相同 ,但是从腹腔 皮下接种、CTX     

博来霉素诱导G57BL/6与ICR小鼠肺间质纤维化模型的比较

目的探讨C57BL/6与ICR小鼠在博来霉素(BLM)致肺纤维化过程中的种属差异。方法 8周龄雌性C57BL/6小鼠19只,ICR小鼠16只,分别经尾静脉一次性注射BLM150mg/kg,观察每组小鼠体重、生存率及肺组织病理改变。结果①C57BL/6与ICR小鼠最低体重分别发生在静脉注射处置后的7d和5d,最低体重分别为注射前的65.46%和73.21%,两组间无显著的统计学差异。②C57BL/6与ICR小鼠的生存率分别为36.84%和56.25%,两组间存在显著的统计学差异。③C57BL/6小鼠BLM注射后28d,在胸膜下及血管周围形成广泛、稳定的间质纤维化病理改变,而ICR小鼠肺组织未见明显纤维化形成。C57BL/6小鼠肺纤维化病理评分明显高于ICR小鼠(P0.001)。结论 BLM诱导的肺纤维化作用在C57BL/6与ICR小鼠间存在着明显的种属差异。C57BL/6小鼠较ICR小鼠更适于复制博来霉素诱导的肺纤维化动物模型。     

Ⅰ型干扰素受体缺失小鼠体外受精实验研究

目的探索两种I型干扰素受体缺失对于小鼠体外受精的影响并对体外受精条件进行优化。方法对两种I型干扰素受体缺失小鼠(IFN-αR-/-、IFN-α/βR-/-)及背景野生型小鼠(C57BL/6)分别进行体外受精及胚胎移植,每组超排5只小鼠,3次重复,记录相关数据,分析干扰素受体缺失是否对小鼠体外受精存在影响。分别将两种I型干扰素受体缺失小鼠配子与C57BL/6小鼠配子进行体外受精杂交试验,每组5只小鼠,3次重复,探讨I型干扰素受体缺失对雌雄配子体外受精的影响。同时,优化体外受精条件,探索提高受精率技术方法,每组5只小鼠,三次重复。结果两种I型干扰素受体缺失小鼠平均体外受精率低于背景品系C57BL/6小鼠,组间差异具有显著性(P0. 05)。干扰素α受体缺失小鼠体外受精率高于干扰素α、β受体双缺失小鼠体外受精率,组间差异具有显著性(P0. 05)。两种I型干扰素受体缺失小鼠的精子与C57BL/6小鼠卵细胞体外受精率均高于其卵细胞与C57BL/6小鼠精子的体外受精率,组间差异具有显著性(P0. 05)。通过延长精子获能时间至1 h或在获能液及受精液中加入1 mmol/L还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)能够提高体外体外受精率,相应组间差异具有显著性(P0. 05)。结论 I型干扰素受体缺失可能导致相应品系小鼠体外受精率降低,而且对卵细胞的影响较精子的影响更为显著,通过适当延长精子获能时间或改变获能及受精液成分,能够提高体外受精率。     

cDNA微阵列分析人apoE4转基因鼠肾脏基因表达谱的变化

目的研究人apoE4转基因鼠肾脏的基因表达谱变化.方法分别提取人apoE4转基因鼠和正常C57BL/6J小鼠的肾脏总RNA,经逆转录合成cDNA探针后分别与鼠cDNA表达点阵杂交,再用ESTblot软件进行分析,并用Northern印迹证明基因表达的改变.结果人apoE4转基因鼠肾脏中有38个基因的mRNA表达升高,22个基因的mRNA表达降低.其中血浆谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶前体、视黄酸γ受体和白介素5受体等基因的表达明显增加.B-raf原癌基因、促红细胞生成素受体、整联蛋白α4的基因表达显著降低.Northern杂交证明转基因鼠肾脏的c-Jun基因表达升高.结论人apoE4转基因鼠肾脏的c-Jun、血浆谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶前体、白介素5受体等基因的表达增加;促红细胞生成素受体、整联蛋白α4等基因的表达减少.     

IRM-2小鼠移植性肿瘤模型的生物学特性

目的观察IRM-2小鼠和C57BL/6小鼠接种Lewis肺癌生物学特性的对比研究。方法取肿瘤组织研磨,用生理盐水稀释成2×10^6/mL,取细胞悬液接种于IRM-2小鼠和C57BL/6小鼠腋下,0.2 mL/只。观察两品系肿瘤生长、荷瘤鼠生存时间,外周血细胞及病理指标变化。结果两品系小鼠成瘤率均是100%,荷瘤鼠存活时间无明显差异,IRM-2小鼠荷瘤鼠体重净增长明显高于C57BL/6荷瘤小鼠（P〈0.05）。白细胞分类及病理指标变化无明显差别。结论IRM-2小鼠与C57BL/6小鼠Lewis肺癌模型生物学特性基本一致,IRM-2小鼠可以建立稳定的Lewis肺癌肿瘤模型应用于实验研究。     

一株O型口蹄疫病毒在C57BL/6小鼠和原代细胞的传代及其全序的测定和分析

【目的】旨在成功建立FMDVC57BL/6小鼠的实验感染模型。【方法】采用体内和体外循环适应传代的方法,选取一株对C57BL/6小鼠不敏感FMDVO/HK/CHA/99MF4,将其在C57BL/6小鼠(体内)和胎猪肾原代细胞FPK (体外)进行多次循环适应传代。【结果】成功获得一株对C57BL/6小鼠敏感的FMDVO/HK/CHA/99MF4C5株。【结论】本研究成功建立了FMDV突变株感染C57BL/6小鼠的实验动物模型,为未来FMD疫苗效力的评估和致病性相关的研究奠定了基础。     

多巴胺D5受体转基因小鼠的建立

目的建立人多巴胺D5受体突变基因F173 L（D5F173L）,S390G（D5S390G）及正常人D5基因（hD5 WT）的转基因小鼠,利用该转基因动物模型来研究D5受体在原发性高血压中的发病机制。方法利用显微注射的技术将插入CMV启动子下游的D5F173L,D5S390G及hD5 WT基因的转基因载体注射入C57BL/6小鼠体内,建立多巴胺D5F173L,D5S390G及hD5 WT的转基因小鼠。通过PCR鉴定转基因小鼠的基因型。利用Western Blotting方法鉴定该受体蛋白在肾脏的表达情况。使用智能无创血压测量仪测量转基因小鼠的血压值。结果分别建立了多巴胺D5F173L,D5S390G及hD5 WT转基因C57BL/6小鼠,Western Blotting方法鉴定结果显示,与非转基因C57BL/6小鼠比较,D5转基因小鼠D5受体在肾脏有较高的表达。3-6月龄D5 F173L转基因小鼠的收缩压、舒张压和平均动脉血压均明显高于多巴胺D5S390G及hD5 WT转基因小鼠（n=6-8,P〈0.05）。结论多巴胺D5受体在原发性高血压发病中具有重要作用,但作用机理还有待于进一步研究。     

水迷宫实验中三种品系小鼠学习记忆能力的比较

目的探讨三种品系小鼠在Morris水迷宫实验中的学习记忆能力差异,为与改善学习记忆能力相关新药研究的实验动物选择提供参考。方法选用C57BL/6小鼠、昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠,进行定位航行实验(5d)、空间搜索实验(1d)和工作记忆实验(4d),考察其学习记忆能力。结果定位航行实验从第3天起C57BL/6小鼠的潜伏期明显小于昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠(P0.01);空间搜索实验C57BL/6小鼠穿过原平台位置的次数、在原平台象限游程比率和时间比率均明显多于昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠(P0.05);动物每天工作记忆实验的潜伏期随测试次数增加而缩短,C57BL/6小鼠缩短的较昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠稍多。结论C57BL/6小鼠的空间参考记忆能力与工作记忆能力均优于昆明种小鼠和ICR小鼠,且非空间因素对其学习记忆能力的评价干扰较小,可作为优先选择的水迷宫实验动物。     

转基因人源化ACE2裸小鼠模型的建立

目的 建立BALB/c-Nude裸小鼠为背景的人源化ACE2(hACE2)转基因裸小鼠动物模型。方法 利用hACE2转基因小鼠与雄性BALB/c-Nude裸小鼠杂交获得F1代,将F1代hACE2小鼠与BALB/c-Nude裸小鼠回交获得F2代,再将F2代hACE2小鼠互交获得F3代hACE2转基因裸小鼠。对F3代中hACE2转基因裸小鼠的生长发育、生理指标及免疫指标与C57BL/6J野生型小鼠、hACE2小鼠和BALB/c-Nude裸小鼠对比分析。结果 (1)hACE2转基因裸小鼠生长发育指标与C57BL/6J野生型小鼠、hACE2小鼠和BALB/c-Nude裸小鼠无明显差异。(2)hACE2转基因裸小鼠生理指标中,建立的hACE2转基因裸小鼠与BALB/c-Nude裸小鼠相似,病理解剖观察发现,小鼠体内均无胸腺。脏器系数结果与BALB/c-Nude裸小鼠比较,脾系数和肝系数出现显著性差异(P<0.05)。血常规检测指标与C57BL/6J野生型小鼠、hACE2小鼠比较,中性粒细胞百分比(NEU)、淋巴细胞百分比(LYM)和单核细胞百分比(MONO)均出现显著性差异(P<0....     

The membrane anchor R7BP controls the proteolytic stability of the striatal specific RGS protein, RGS9-2

A member of the RGS (regulators of G protein signaling) family, RGS9-2 is a critical regulator of G protein signaling pathways that control locomotion and reward signaling in the brain. RGS9-2 is specifically expressed in striatal neurons where it forms complexes with its newly discovered partner, R7BP (R7 family binding protein). Interaction with R7BP is important for the subcellular targeting of RGS9-2, which in native neurons is found in plasma membrane and its specializations, postsynaptic densities. Here we report that R7BP plays an additional important role in determining proteolytic stability of RGS9-2. We have found that co-expression with R7BP dramatically elevates the levels of RGS9-2 and its constitutive subunit, Gbeta5. Measurement of the RGS9-2 degradation kinetics in cells indicates that R7BP markedly reduces the rate of RGS9-2.Gbeta5 proteolysis. Lentivirus-mediated RNA interference knockdown of the R7BP expression in native striatal neurons results in the corresponding decrease in RGS9-2 protein levels. Analysis of the molecular determinants that mediate R7BP/RGS9-2 binding to result in proteolytic protection have identified that the binding site for R7BP in RGS proteins is formed by pairing of the DEP (Disheveled, EGL-10, Pleckstrin) domain with the R7H (R7 homology), a domain of previously unknown function that interacts with four putative alpha-helices of the R7BP core. These findings provide a mechanism for the regulation of the RGS9 protein stability in the striatal neurons.     

Src-mediated RGS16 tyrosine phosphorylation promotes RGS16 stability

The amplitude of signaling evoked by stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors may be controlled in part by the GTPase accelerating activity of the regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins. In turn, subcellular targeting, protein-protein interactions, or post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation may shape RGS activity and specificity. We found previously that RGS16 undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation on conserved tyrosine residues in the RGS box. Phosphorylation on Tyr(168) was mediated by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We show here that endogenous RGS16 is phosphorylated after epidermal growth factor stimulation of MCF-7 cells. In addition, p60-Src or Lyn kinase phosphorylated recombinant RGS16 in vitro, and RGS16 underwent phosphorylation in the presence of constitutively active Src (Y529F) in EGFR(-) CHO-K1 cells. Blockade of endogenous Src activity by selective inhibitors attenuated RGS16 phosphorylation induced by pervanadate or receptor stimulation. Furthermore, the rate of RGS16 degradation was reduced in cells expressing active Src or treated with pervanadate or a G protein-coupled receptor ligand (CXCL12). Induction of RGS16 tyrosine phosphorylation was associated with increased RGS16 protein levels and enhanced GAP activity in cell membranes. These results suggest that Src mediates RGS16 tyrosine phosphorylation, which may promote RGS16 stability.     

Differentially regulated expression of endogenous RGS4 and RGS7

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS proteins) constitute a family of newly appreciated components of G protein-mediated signal transduction. With few exceptions, most information available on mammalian RGS proteins was gained by transfection/overexpression or in vitro experiments, with relatively little known about the endogenous counterparts. Transfection studies, typically of tagged RGS proteins, have been conducted to overcome the low natural abundance of endogenous RGS proteins. Because transfection studies can lead to imprecise or erroneous conclusions, we have developed antibodies of high specificity and sensitivity to focus study on endogenous proteins. Expression of both RGS4 and RGS7 was detected in rat brain tissue and cultured PC12 and AtT-20 cells. Endogenous RGS4 presented as a single 27-28-kDa protein. By contrast, cultured cells transfected with a plasmid encoding RGS4 expressed two observable forms of the protein, apparently due to utilization of distinct sites of initiation of protein synthesis. Subcellular localization of endogenous RGS4 revealed predominant association with membrane fractions, rather than in cytosolic fractions, where most heterologously expressed RGS4 has been found. Endogenous levels of RGS7 exceeded RGS4 by 30-40-fold, and studies of cultured cells revealed regulatory differences between the two proteins. We observed that RGS4 mRNA and protein were concomitantly augmented with increased cell density and decreased by exposure of PC12M cells to nerve growth factor, whereas RGS7 was unaffected. Endogenous RGS7 was relatively stable, whereas proteolysis of endogenous RGS4 was a strong determinant of its lower level expression and short half-life. Although we searched without finding evidence for regulation of RGS4 proteolysis, the possibility remains that alterations in the degradation of this protein could provide a means to promptly alter patterns of signal transduction.     

RGS9-2 is a negative modulator of mu-opioid receptor function

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) 9-2 is a striatal enriched protein that controls G protein coupled receptor signaling duration by accelerating Galpha subunit guanosine triphosphate hydrolysis. We have previously demonstrated that mice lacking the RGS9 gene show enhanced morphine analgesia and delayed development of tolerance. Here we extend these studies to understand the mechanism via which RGS9-2 modulates opiate actions. Our data suggest that RGS9-2 prevents several events triggered by mu-opioid receptor (MOR) activation. In transiently transfected PC12 cells, RGS9-2 delays agonist induced internalization of epitope HA-tagged mu-opioid receptor. This action of RGS9-2 requires localization of the protein near the cell membrane. Co-immunoprecipitation studies reveal that RGS9-2 interacts with HA-tagged mu-opioid receptor, and that this interaction is enhanced by morphine treatment. In addition, morphine promotes the association of RGS9-2 with another essential component of MOR desensitization, beta-arrestin-2. We also show that over-expression of RGS9-2 prevents opiate-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation. Our data indicate that RGS9-2 plays an essential role in opiate actions, by negatively modulating MOR downstream signaling as well as the rate of MOR endocytosis.     

Kinetic mechanism of RGS9-1 potentiation by R9AP

The duration of the photoreceptor's response to a light stimulus determines the speed at which an animal adjusts to ever-changing conditions of the visual environment. One critical component which regulates the photoresponse duration on the molecular level is the complex between the ninth member of the regulators of G protein signaling family (RGS9-1) and its partner, type 5 G protein beta-subunit (Gbeta5L). RGS9-1.Gbeta5L is responsible for the activation of the GTPase activity of the photoreceptor-specific G protein, transducin. Importantly, this function of RGS9-1.Gbeta5L is regulated by its membrane anchor, R9AP, which drastically potentiates the ability of RGS9-1.Gbeta5L to activate transducin GTPase. In this study, we address the kinetic mechanism of R9AP action and find that it consists primarily of a direct increase in the RGS9-1.Gbeta5L activity. We further showed that the binding site for RGS9-1.Gbeta5L is located within the N-terminal putative trihelical domain of R9AP, and even though this domain is sufficient for binding, it takes the entire R9AP molecule to potentiate the activity of RGS9-1.Gbeta5L. The mechanism revealed in this study is different from and complements another well-established mechanism of regulation of RGS9-1.Gbeta5L by the effector enzyme, cGMP phosphodiesterase, which is based entirely on the enhancement in the affinity between RGS9-1.Gbeta5L and transducin. Together, these mechanisms ensure timely transducin inactivation in the course of the photoresponse, a requisite for normal vision.     

Inhibition of retinal guanylyl cyclase by the RGS9-1 N-terminus

Cyclic GMP plays a key role in retinal phototransduction and its photoreceptor concentration is precisely controlled by the cooperative action of cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) and retinal guanylyl cyclase (retGC). However, studies of the relationship between these two systems have focused only on a Ca(2+)-mediated, indirect connection. Using a retinal "regulator of G-protein signaling" (RGS9-1) and its fragments, we show that the N-terminus of RGS9-1 inhibits retGC activity. We also indicate that the GGL domain and/or the RGS domain function as an internal suppressor against the N-terminus, suggesting that proteins bound to these domains regulate the inhibitory activity of the N-terminus. Direct interaction of retGC with RGS9-1 and its N-terminus is also proved by immunoprecipitation and an overlay technique. Since RGS9-1 also controls the lifetime of transducin-activated PDE through regulating GTPase activity of transducin, this study strongly suggests that RGS9-1 mediates the direct interaction between PDE and retGC systems, and that this ingenious mechanism plays an important role in tuning of cGMP concentration in photoreceptors.     

RGS6, RGS7, RGS9, and RGS11 stimulate GTPase activity of Gi family G-proteins with differential selectivity and maximal activity

Regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins are GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) of heterotrimeric G-proteins that alter the amplitude and kinetics of receptor-promoted signaling. In this study we defined the G-protein alpha-subunit selectivity of purified Sf9 cell-derived R7 proteins, a subfamily of RGS proteins (RGS6, -7, -9, and -11) containing a Ggamma-like (GGL) domain that mediates dimeric interaction with Gbeta(5). Gbeta(5)/R7 dimers stimulated steady state GTPase activity of Galpha-subunits of the G(i) family, but not of Galpha(q) or Galpha(11), when added to proteoliposomes containing M2 or M1 muscarinic receptor-coupled G-protein heterotrimers. Concentration effect curves of the Gbeta(5)/R7 proteins revealed differences in potencies and efficacies toward Galpha-subunits of the G(i) family. Although all four Gbeta(5)/R7 proteins exhibited similar potencies toward Galpha(o), Gbeta(5)/RGS9 and Gbeta(5)/RGS11 were more potent GAPs of Galpha(i1), Galpha(i2), and Galpha(i3) than were Gbeta(5)/RGS6 and Gbeta(5)/RGS7. The maximal GAP activity exhibited by Gbeta(5)/RGS11 was 2- to 4-fold higher than that of Gbeta(5)/RGS7 and Gbeta(5)/RGS9, with Gbeta(5)/RGS6 exhibiting an intermediate maximal GAP activity. Moreover, the less efficacious Gbeta(5)/RGS7 and Gbeta(5)/RGS9 inhibited Gbeta(5)/RGS11-stimulated GTPase activity of Galpha(o). Therefore, R7 family RGS proteins are G(i) family-selective GAPs with potentially important differences in activities.     

Dependence of RGS9-1 membrane attachment on its C-terminal tail.

RGS9-1 is a GTPase-accelerating protein (GAP) required for rapid recovery of the light response in vertebrate rod and cone photoreceptors. Similar to its phototransduction partners transducin (G(t)) and cGMP phosphodiesterase, it is a peripheral protein of the disc membranes, but it binds membranes much more tightly. It lacks the lipid modifications found on G(t) and cGMP phosphodiesterase, and the mechanism for membrane attachment is unknown. We have used limited proteolysis to generate a fragment of RGS9-1 that is readily removed from membranes under moderate salt conditions. Immunoblots reveal that this soluble fragment lacks a 3-kDa fragment from the C-terminal domain, the only domain within RGS9-1 that differs in sequence from the brain-specific isoform RGS9-2. Recombinant fragments of RGS9-1 with or without the partner subunit G beta(5L) were constructed with or without the C-terminal domain. Those lacking the C-terminal domain bound to photoreceptor membranes much less tightly than those containing it. Removal by urea of G beta(5L) from endogenous or recombinant RGS9-1 bound to rod outer segment membranes left RGS9-1 tightly membrane-bound, and recombinant RGS9-1 was urea-soluble in the absence of membranes. Thus the C-terminal domain of RGS9-1 is critical for membrane binding, whereas G beta(5L) does not play an important role in membrane attachment.     

Modulation of subfamily B/R4 RGS protein function by 14-3-3 proteins

Regulator of G protein signalling (RGS) proteins are primarily known for their ability to act as GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) and thus attenuate G protein function within G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling pathways. However, RGS proteins have been found to interact with additional binding partners, and this has introduced more complexity to our understanding of their potential role in vivo. Here, we identify a novel interaction between RGS proteins (RGS4, RGS5, RGS16) and the multifunctional protein 14-3-3. Two isoforms, 14-3-3β and 14-3-3ε, directly interact with all three purified RGS proteins and data from in vitro steady state GTP hydrolysis assays show that 14-3-3 inhibits the GTPase activity of RGS4 and RGS16, but has limited effects on RGS5 under comparable conditions. Moreover in a competitive pull-down experiment, 14-3-3ε competes with Go for RGS4, but not for RGS5. This mechanism is further reinforced in living cells, where 14-3-3ε sequesters RGS4 in the cytoplasm and impedes its recruitment to the plasma membrane by G protein. Thus, 14-3-3 might act as a molecular chelator, preventing RGS proteins from interacting with G, and ultimately prolonging the signal transduction pathway. In conclusion, our findings suggest that 14-3-3 proteins may indirectly promote GPCR signalling via their inhibitory effects on RGS GAP function.