Dysregulation of GPCR Signaling in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Potential Role for Exercise Training?

PURPOSE The superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) are activated by biological molecules (e.g. neurotransmitters) and are involved in many physiological events. As exaggerated GPCR-mediated signaling may contribute to cardiovascular disorders, RGS proteins (regulators of G-protein signaling) are viewed as an important regulatory molecule for the negative modulation of this signaling pathway. To address the significance of RGS proteins and suggest potential effects of exercise training on this molecule, a literature review on RGS proteins was conducted. METHODS A systemic search in PUBMED was performed to obtain previous studies investigating roles of RGS proteins in the cardiovascular systems. RESULTS RGS proteins directly bind to the Gα subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins to inhibit GPCR signaling pathways and terminate their activity. Using mice genetically lacking RGS2 and RGS5, these proteins have been shown to contribute to pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling. Further, it has been suggested that systemic knockout of RGS2 protein causes hypertension by potentiating G protein signaling-mediated vascular responses and impairing nitric oxide/cGMP-induced vasorelaxation. Thus, RGS proteins have been suggested as potential drug targets for cardiovascular disorders accompanied by dysregulation of RGS proteins and GPCR signaling. Although exercise training has also been well-documented to strengthen cardiovascular function and ameliorate circulatory diseases, cellular mechanisms underlying the contribution of exercise intervention to RGS-mediated GPCR signaling have not been explored. CONCLUSIONS This brief review discusses roles played by RGS proteins in the cardiovascular system and suggests future studies for investigating the interaction between exercise training and RGS protein-mediated regulation of GPCR signaling.