Dr. Tu's laboratory research focuses on the regulation of the interaction among G protein coupled receptor (GPCR), G proteins and RGS (Regulators of G Protein Signaling) proteins in cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer. GPCR/G protein-mediated signaling controls many cellular processes. G proteins stimulate intracellular signaling proteins (effectors) when they bind GTP in response to receptor; signaling ends when bound GTP is hydrolyzed. RGS proteins can act as GTPase-Activating Proteins (GAPs) and may accelerate the deactivation of G proteins by 1000-fold. It is important to understand how RGS proteins can act as tightly regulated modulators and integrators of multiple GPCR/G protein signaling pathways. This elucidation will not only help us understand the roles RGS proteins play in physiology and diseases, but also has the potential to provide crucial information for RGS-target drug development.