Rap GTP-binding protein

Rap ( Ras -related protein, Ras -related protein ') is a group of small protein GTPases of the Ras superfamily.

Properties

Rap proteins are highly conserved in slime molds, Drosophila melanogaster and even in humans, and have approximately 50 % homology to the amino acid sequence of the Ras proteins. Like all Ras - related proteins play rap proteins an important role in various cellular processes such as regulation of cell adhesion, cell -cell contact, cell shape regulation and cell migration, cell polarity of neurons, synaptic plasticity, apoptosis prevention and hematopoiesis.

Types

  • Rap1 ( in Drosophila and " roughened ", " Dras3 " or CG1956 ): RAP1A, RAP1B
  • Rap2: RAP2A, RAP2B, RAP2C

Function

Like any GTPase also required at least a Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor ( GEF) and a GTPase - activating protein (GAP ) in order to switch between the active and inactive form and exert its function. For Rap in Drosophila have been able to PDZ GEF1 (also called " Dizzy " ) are identified as GEF and Rapgap1 as CAP.

Small GTPase Dictyostelium Cell growth Digital Object Identifier
672836
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