Small Monomeric GTPases
Small monomeric GTPases (also known as small G-proteins) are homologous to Gα proteins. This family of GTPases includes the RAS superfamily, which is further split into subfamilies based on structural, sequence and functional similarities. Each subfamily of small GTPases plays a slightly different role in the regulation of intracellular signaling pathways and cellular processes.
Like Gα proteins, small GTPases alternate between an 'on' state (bound to GTP) and an 'off' state (bound to GDP) and so function as binary switches that regulate cytosolic signaling pathways. GDP/GTP cycling is controlled by two types of regulatory proteins that associate with small GTPases. Guanine exchange factors (GEFs) promote the formation of the active, GTP bound form of RAS proteins while GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) accelerate GTPase activity, promoting the inactive, GDP bound form.
Resources for Small Monomeric GTPase Research
Blog Post: Therapeutic Vulnerabilities of RAS Oncoproteins
The RAS family of small monomeric GTPases regulate gene expression, cell proliferation, differentiation and cell survival, and are commonly mutated in cancers. This blog post highlights the vulnerabilities of RAS proteins to pharmacological modulation for cancer treatment.
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