A G-protein γ subunit mimic is a general antagonist of prion propagation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Gpg1 protein is a Gγ subunit mimic implicated in the G-protein glucose-signaling pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and its function is largely unknown. Here we report that Gpg1 blocks the maintenance of [PSI⁺], an aggregated prion form of the translation termination factor Sup35. Although the GPG1 gene is normally not expressed, over-expression of GPG1 inhibits propagation of not only [PSI⁺] but also [PIN⁺], [URE3] prions, and the toxic polyglutamine aggregate in S. cerevisiae. Over-expression of Gpg1 does not affect expression and activity of Hsp104, a protein-remodeling factor required for prion propagation, showing that Gpg1 does not target Hsp104 directly. Nevertheless, prion elimination by Gpg1 is weakened by over-expression of Hsp104. Importantly, Gpg1 protein is prone to self-aggregate and transiently colocalized with Sup35NM-prion aggregates when expressed in [PSI⁺] cells. Genetic selection and characterization of loss-of-activity gpg1 mutations revealed that multiple mutations on the hydrophobic one-side surface of predicted α-helices of the Gpg1 protein hampered the activity. Prion elimination by Gpg1 is unaffected in the gpa2Δ and gpb1Δ strains lacking the supposed physiological G-protein partners of Gpg1. These findings suggest a general inhibitory interaction of the Gpg1 protein with other transmissible and nontransmissible amyloids, resulting in prion elimination. Assuming the ability of Gpg1 to form G-protein heterotrimeric complexes, Gpg1 is likely to play a versatile function of reversing the prion state and modulating the G-protein signaling pathway.