PREX1
Description
The PREX1 (phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate dependent Rac exchange factor 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 20.
PREX1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PREX1 gene. PREX1 acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the RHO family of small GTP-binding proteins (RACs). It has been shown to bind to and activate RAC1 by exchanging bound GDP for free GTP. Found primarily in the cytoplasm, PREX1 is activated by phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate and the beta-gamma subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. The activation of PREX1 is more efficient when chemotactic receptors coupled to Gi proteins are activated due to a more effective release of the Gβɣ heterodimer. PREX1 has been implicated in the spread of melanoma skin cancer.
PREX1 acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rac proteins, facilitating the exchange of GDP for GTP, thereby activating Rac. This activation is synergistically enhanced by the presence of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate and the beta-gamma subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. PREX1 may play a role downstream of heterotrimeric G proteins in neutrophils.
PREX1 is also known as P-REX1.
