ARHGEF12
Description
The ARHGEF12 (Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 12) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 11.
ARHGEF12, also known as RhoGEF12 or Leukemia-associated Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (LARG), is a protein encoded by the ARHGEF12 gene in humans. It functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the RhoA small GTPase protein. RhoA is inactive when bound to GDP, but ARHGEF12 facilitates the exchange of GDP for GTP, activating RhoA. Active RhoA regulates the actin cytoskeleton. ARHGEF12 belongs to a group of four RhoGEF proteins activated by G12 and G13 heterotrimeric G proteins, including ARHGEF1 (p115-RhoGEF), ARHGEF11 (PDZ-RhoGEF), and AKAP13 (ARHGEF13, Lbc). These RhoGEFs act as effectors for G12 and G13 G proteins. Interestingly, ARHGEF1, ARHGEF11, and ARHGEF12 also function as RGS family GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) for G12/G13 alpha proteins, accelerating their GTP hydrolysis.
ARHGEF12 is involved in the regulation of RhoA GTPase by GNA12 and GNA13. It functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for RhoA, facilitating its activation, and may also act as a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for GNA12 and GNA13, promoting their inactivation.
ARHGEF12 is also known as LARG, PRO2792.
