Molecular mechanisms of signaling through G proteins

Along the years our group has aim to understand the processes of signal transduction that let to changes in cell structure and function in physiology and diseases. We focus our attention on the signaling pathways regulated by G proteins and GPCRs. A novel localization of G proteins at the mitochondria and other endomembranes where they regulate morphology and physiology of these organelles has been recently demonstrated by our group. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that produce most of the energy of the cell. Broken mitochondria cristae, and loss of internal structure impairs many of the functions of mitochondria and its present in neurons of several neurodegenerative diseases. Following these studies, we try to unveil how the G proteins control the proper balance between mitochondria fusion and fission, their dynamic movement and the mitochondrial physiology.