G12/G13 alpha subunits

G₁₂/G₁₃ alpha subunits are alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins that link cell surface G protein-coupled receptors primarily to guanine nucleotide exchange factors for the Rho small GTPases to regulate the actin cytoskeleton.^[1] Together, these two proteins comprise one of the four classes of G protein alpha subunits.^[2] G protein alpha subunits bind to guanine nucleotides and function in a regulatory cycle, and are active when bound to GTP but inactive and associated with the G beta-gamma complex when bound to GDP.^[3][4] G₁₂/G₁₃ are not targets of pertussis toxin or cholera toxin, as are other classes of G protein alpha subunits.^[5]

G proteins G₁₂ and G₁₃ regulate actin cytoskeletal remodeling in cells during movement and migration, including cancer cell metastasis.^[6] G₁₃ is also essential for receptor tyrosine kinase-induced migration of fibroblast and endothelial cells.^[7]