Gs alpha subunit

The Gs alpha subunit (or Gs protein) is a heterotrimeric G protein subunit which activates adenylate cyclase. Researchers have discovered that a change in the location of this protein in the brain could serve as a biomarker for depression, allowing a simple, rapid, laboratory test to identify patients with depression.

Receptors
The G-protein coupled receptors that couple to this kind of G-protein are for example:
 * 5-HT receptors type 4 and 7
 * D1-like dopamine receptors
 * β-adrenergic receptors
 * M1 receptor (primarily Gq-coupled)
 * Prostaglandin D2 receptor
 * Adenosine receptor A2a and A2b
 * Calcitonin receptor
 * Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor

Function
The general function of Gs is to activate adenylate cyclase, which, in turn, produces cAMP, which, in turn activates cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Further effects of Gs is thus found in function of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.