GNA13 Gene

GNA13 Gene

Introduction

Gna13 Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-gene"> [@riobo2007]
<table> [@milligan2009]
<tr><th colspan="2" style="background:#e8f4f8; text-align:center; font-size:1.2em;">GNA13 Gene</th></tr> [@worzfeld2018]
<tr><td><strong>Full Name</strong></td><td>G Protein Subunit Alpha 13</td></tr> [@radhika2005]
<tr><td><strong>Chromosome</strong></td><td>17q21.31</td></tr> [@yang2020]
<tr><td><strong>NCBI Gene ID</strong></td><td>[10672](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/10672)</td></tr> [@dorsett2018]
<tr><td><strong>OMIM</strong></td><td>[604405](https://www.omim.org/entry/604405)</td></tr> [@unger2022]
<tr><td><strong>Ensembl ID</strong></td><td>ENSG00000127616</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>UniProt ID</strong></td><td>[Q9UQF2](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9UQF2)</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Protein Family</strong></td><td>Gq alpha subunit family</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Associated Diseases</strong></td><td>Cancer, Thrombosis, Epilepsy, Schizophrenia</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

Overview

GNA13 Gene

Introduction

Gna13 Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

<div class="infobox infobox-gene"> [@riobo2007]
<table> [@milligan2009]
<tr><th colspan="2" style="background:#e8f4f8; text-align:center; font-size:1.2em;">GNA13 Gene</th></tr> [@worzfeld2018]
<tr><td><strong>Full Name</strong></td><td>G Protein Subunit Alpha 13</td></tr> [@radhika2005]
<tr><td><strong>Chromosome</strong></td><td>17q21.31</td></tr> [@yang2020]
<tr><td><strong>NCBI Gene ID</strong></td><td>[10672](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/10672)</td></tr> [@dorsett2018]
<tr><td><strong>OMIM</strong></td><td>[604405](https://www.omim.org/entry/604405)</td></tr> [@unger2022]
<tr><td><strong>Ensembl ID</strong></td><td>ENSG00000127616</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>UniProt ID</strong></td><td>[Q9UQF2](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9UQF2)</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Protein Family</strong></td><td>Gq alpha subunit family</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Associated Diseases</strong></td><td>Cancer, Thrombosis, Epilepsy, Schizophrenia</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

Overview

The GNA13 gene encodes the G Protein Subunit Alpha 13, a member of the Gq family of heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunits. This protein plays a critical role in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways that regulate various cellular responses including calcium mobilization, phosphoinositide hydrolysis, and cytoskeletal dynamics. Galpha13 is particularly important in blood cells and is essential for platelet function, but is also expressed in [neurons](/entities/neurons) where it participates in synaptic transmission.

Gene Structure

• Gene Location: Chromosome 17q21.31
• Exon Count: 11 exons spanning approximately 10 kb
• Protein Length: 377 amino acids
• Molecular Weight: ~43 kDa

Protein Function

The GNA13 protein transmits signals from G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to intracellular effector proteins:

• Phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ)
• RhoGEFs (p115 RhoGEF, LARG)
• Paxillin and other scaffolding proteins

Key Signaling Pathways

• PLCβ Pathway: IP3/DAG → Ca²⁺ mobilization → PKC activation
• RhoA Pathway: Cytoskeletal dynamics → cell migration
• Integrin Signaling: Cell adhesion and spreading

Disease Associations

Neurological Disorders

• Epilepsy: Gq signaling affects neuronal excitability
• Schizophrenia: Altered Gq pathway function
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Role in neuronal development
• Stroke: G13 signaling in cerebral blood flow

Systemic Conditions

• Thrombosis: Essential for platelet activation and aggregation
• Cancer Metastasis: G13 signaling in cell migration
• Immune Disorders: B cell and macrophage function

Expression Pattern

• Brain: Moderate expression in [cortex](/brain-regions/cortex), [hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus), basal ganglia
• Blood: High expression in platelets and leukocytes
• Cellular Localization: Postsynaptic densities, cytoskeleton

Therapeutic Implications

• Antithrombotic Drugs: G13 pathway inhibitors
• Cancer Therapy: Anti-metastatic agents targeting G13
• Neurological Disorders: Gq signaling modulators

Research Directions

• Platelet Biology: G13 in thrombosis and hemostasis
• Cancer Metastasis: Targeting G13 in cancer spread
• Neurobiology: G13 in synaptic function

Key Publications

Background

The study of Gna13 Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

See Also

• [G Proteins](/entities/g-proteins) [GPCR Signaling](/mechanisms/gpcr-signaling)
• [Calcium Signaling](/mechanisms/calcium-signaling)
• Rho GTPase Signaling
• [Epilepsy](/diseases/epilepsy)
• Thrombosis
• [Phospholipase C Pathway](/mechanisms/phospholipase-c-signaling)

Pathway Diagram

The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving GNA13 Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis: