Loss of signaling through the G protein, G_z, results in abnormal platelet activation and altered responses to psychoactive drugs

Heterotrimeric G proteins mediate the earliest step in cell responses to external events by linking cell surface receptors to intracellular signaling pathways. G_z is a member of the G_i family of G proteins that is prominently expressed in platelets and brain. Here, we show that deletion of the α subunit of G_z in mice: (i) impairs platelet aggregation by preventing the inhibition of cAMP formation normally seen at physiologic concentrations of epinephrine, and (ii) causes the mice to be more resistant to fatal thromboembolism. Loss of G_zα also results in greatly exaggerated responses to cocaine, reduces the analgesic effects of morphine, and abolishes the effects of widely used anti-depressant drugs that act as catecholamine reuptake inhibitors. These changes occur despite the presence of other G_iα family members in the same cells and are not accompanied by detectable compensatory changes in the level of expression of other G protein subunits. Therefore, these results provide insights into receptor selectivity among G proteins and a model for understanding platelet function and the effects of psychoactive drugs.