Signal transduction of heterotrimeric G proteins in lipid rafts

Lipid rafts, glycosphingolipid and cholesterol-rich microdomains of plasma membrane, are implicated in signal transduction because a variety of signaling molecules, such as heterotrimeric G proteins and G protein-coupled receptors, are associated with them. Dynamic assemblies of lipid rafts with these molecules by extracellular events conduct signaling and sequentially regulate certain physical responses. This review focuses on the role of lipid rafts as a spatial compartment enriched in components of heterotrimeric G protein signaling.