ARHGAP44
Description
The ARHGAP44 (Rho GTPase activating protein 44) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17.
ARHGAP44 is a human protein encoded by the ARHGAP44 gene. It is a Rho GTPase activating protein involved in the regulation of Rho-type GTPases, which are key regulators of various cellular processes, including actin cytoskeleton dynamics, cell migration, and signal transduction. ARHGAP44 is known to interact with other proteins, including SHANK3, and its dysfunction can be associated with various cellular and developmental processes.
ARHGAP44 is a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) that regulates the activity of Rho-type GTPases, such as CDC42 and RAC1, by stimulating their GTPase activity. This controls the cycling of these GTPases between their active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound states. In neurons, ARHGAP44 plays a role in dendritic spine formation and synaptic plasticity through its specific RAC1-GAP activity. It limits the initiation of exploratory dendritic filopodia by reducing actin polymerization, which is necessary for filopodia formation. ARHGAP44 is recruited to actin-patches that seed filopodia and binds specifically to plasma membrane sections that are deformed inward by acto-myosin mediated contractile forces. In association with SHANK3, ARHGAP44 promotes GRIA1 exocytosis from recycling endosomes and spine morphological changes associated with long-term potentiation.
ARHGAP44 is also known as NPC-A-10, RICH2.
