Expression of functional G protein beta gamma dimers of defined subunit composition using a baculovirus expression system.

The 36-kDa beta 1, 35-kDa beta 2, and 6.5-kDa gamma 2 subunits of the heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins have been overexpressed in Sf9 cells using a baculovirus expression system. The gamma 2 subunit expressed in Sf9 cells incorporated label derived from [3H]mevalonate and is therefore likely to be isoprenylated, as is its mammalian counterpart. Extracts of Sf9 cells doubly infected with viruses encoding a beta subunit and viruses encoding a gamma subunit are active in promoting the pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of a G protein alpha subunit. However, extracts from Sf9 cells singly infected with viruses encoding either a beta or gamma subunit are not active in this assay. Results demonstrate utility of the insect/baculovirus system for expressing G protein beta gamma subunits of defined composition.