Evidence of a Role for G Protein Signaling Modulator 3 in Cell Division

Components of G protein-mediated signaling are associated with positioning and orienting the mitotic spindle in the process of cell division. However, a functional role for G protein signaling modulator 3 (GPSM3) in cell division has yet to be defined. The purpose of this study was to investigate a potential role for GPSM3 in cell division. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats, that are known to express GPSM3, were used as a model system. Here I report that GPSM3 mRNA and protein levels varied during different stages of the cell cycle in SHR VSMCs. In HEK-293 cells, overexpressing GPSM3 resulted in an increased rate of proliferation. Finally, during metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, GPSM3 and β-tubulin co-localize at the mitotic spindle and midbody. Overall, this study provides evidence of a role for GPSM3 in cell division, likely via an interaction with the mitotic spindle