Rap signaling

Abstract

The Rap proteins comprise a subfamily of the Ras-like small G-proteins, most closely related to Ras, which were originally found to antagonize Ras-induced cell transformation. Rap transduces extracellular stimuli to a variety of different processes, amongst others cell-matrix adhesion, cell-cell adhesion, and actin dynamics. Here, we present an overview of the mechanisms that regulate activation, including guanine nucleotide exchange factors and GTPase activating proteins responsible for the regulation. We discuss the various biological functions that are controlled by Rap proteins and the molecular mechanism used by Rap1 to induce these responses.