ARHGAP8

Ideogram human chromosome 22

Rho GTPase activating protein 8
Identifiers
Symbol	ARHGAP8
NCBI gene	55100
HGNC	166
OMIM	609000
RefSeq	NM_018440
UniProt	Q9NRY4
Search for Structures Swiss-model Domains InterPro

ARHGAP8 is a protein-coding gene that encodes the Rho GTPase activating protein 8. This protein is involved in the regulation of Rho GTPases, which play a crucial role in various cellular processes such as cell migration, cell division, and cell adhesion.

Function

ARHGAP8 functions as a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for Rho family GTPases. It specifically targets the RhoA and Cdc42 GTPases, promoting their conversion from the active GTP-bound form to the inactive GDP-bound form. By regulating the activity of these GTPases, ARHGAP8 plays a role in controlling cytoskeletal dynamics and cell signaling pathways.

Structure

The ARHGAP8 protein contains several functional domains, including a RhoGAP domain responsible for its GAP activity towards Rho GTPases. It also has a PH domain that may be involved in membrane localization and protein-protein interactions.

Clinical Significance

Mutations in the ARHGAP8 gene have been associated with certain diseases and disorders. For example, dysregulation of Rho GTPase signaling pathways due to abnormal ARHGAP8 activity has been linked to cancer progression and metastasis. Understanding the role of ARHGAP8 in these diseases may provide insights into potential therapeutic targets.

Interactions

ARHGAP8 has been shown to interact with various other proteins involved in Rho GTPase signaling pathways, such as RhoA and Cdc42. These interactions are crucial for the precise regulation of GTPase activity and downstream signaling cascades.