GNA13 Gene - G Protein Subunit Alpha 13 | Function, Mutations & Disease

GNA13 encodes the alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein G13, which belongs to the G12/13 family. This protein mediates signaling from G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to downstream effectors such as Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs), regulating cytoskeletal remodeling, cell migration, and proliferation. GNA13 is involved in embryonic development, vascular function, and immune responses. Aberrant GNA13 signaling contributes to oncogenesis, particularly in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and to vascular disorders.

Tissue Expression

Cell Line Expression

Hotspot Mutations

Mutation functional classification

• G12/13 signaling pathway (Reactome: R-HSA-416482)

• Rho GTPase cycle (Reactome: R-HSA-194840)

• GPCR downstream signaling (Reactome: R-HSA-388396)

• Signaling by GPCR (Reactome: R-HSA-372790)

• Development and migration of B cells (KEGG: hsa04662)

GNA13 encodes the alpha-13 subunit of heterotrimeric G protein G13. This 377-amino-acid protein (UniProt Q14344) contains a conserved GTP-binding domain and switch regions that undergo conformational changes upon GTP binding. Gα13 couples to GPCRs such as thrombin, lysophosphatidic acid, and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors. Its primary effector is the RhoGEF family (e.g., p115-RhoGEF, PDZ-RhoGEF, LARG), which activates RhoA to regulate actin dynamics, cell contraction, and gene expression. GNA13 is essential for embryonic angiogenesis and vascular integrity. In cancer, loss-of-function mutations in DLBCL disrupt RhoA activation, promoting lymphoma dissemination, while gain-of-function mutations in hemangioma drive vascular tumor growth.