G proteins are molecular switches that alternate between active and inactive states, facilitated by the binding and hydrolysis of GTP (guanosine triphosphate). They are composed of three subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. The GTP-binding to the alpha subunit activates the protein, enabling it to interact with target proteins and transmit signals inside the cell. In the context of cancer, these signaling pathways can influence tumor growth and metastasis.
