RGS4

Regulator of G protein signaling 4 also known as RGP4 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the RGS4 is_associated_with::gene. RGP4 regulates is_associated_with::G protein signaling.

Function
is_associated_with::Regulator of G protein signalling (RGS) family members are regulatory molecules that act as is_associated_with::GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) for is_associated_with::G alpha subunits of is_associated_with::heterotrimeric G proteins. RGS proteins are able to deactivate G protein subunits of the Gi alpha, Go alpha and Gq alpha subtypes. They drive G proteins into their inactive GDP-bound forms. Regulator of G protein signaling 4 belongs to this family. All RGS proteins share a conserved 120-amino acid sequence termed the RGS domain which conveys GAP activity. Regulator of G protein signaling 4 protein is 37% identical to is_associated_with::RGS1 and 97% identical to rat Rgs4. This protein negatively regulates signaling upstream or at the level of the heterotrimeric G protein and is localized in the is_associated_with::cytoplasm.

Clinical significance
A number of studies associate the RGS4 gene with is_associated_with::schizophrenia,   while some fail to detect an association.

RGS4 is also of interest as one of the three main RGS proteins (along with is_associated_with::RGS9 and is_associated_with::RGS17) involved in terminating signalling by the is_associated_with::mu opioid receptor, and may be important in the development of tolerance to opioid drugs.

Inhibitors

 * cyclic peptides
 * is_associated_with::CCG-4986

Interactions
RGS4 has been shown to interact with:
 * is_associated_with::COPB2,
 * is_associated_with::ERBB3, and
 * is_associated_with::GNAQ.