DIRAS1
Description
The DIRAS1 (DIRAS family GTPase 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19.
DIRAS1, also known as Ras-related inhibitor of cell growth (RIG), is a protein encoded by the DIRAS1 gene located on chromosome 10p13.3. It belongs to the Ras superfamily and is highly expressed in heart and brain tissues. DIRAS1 differs from other Ras family members due to amino acid substitutions that reduce its GTPase activity, leading to a predominantly GTP-bound state. This suggests that DIRAS1 might regulate cell development differently compared to other Ras proteins. DIRAS1 is associated with human cancers such as glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and ovarian cancer. The gene consists of two exons and encodes a 597 bp protein-coding region. The DIRAS1 protein shares 40–50% homology with Ras and Rap. Unlike DIRAS3, DIRAS1 has a distinct length in its N-terminal extension. While structurally similar to other GTPases, DIRAS1 functions as a tumor suppressor, unlike the oncogenic Ras protein. Ras typically promotes cell proliferation and signal transduction, while DIRAS1 acts as a negative regulator of growth.
DIRAS1 is also known as Di-Ras1, GBTS1, RIG.
