RAPGEF3
Description
The RAPGEF3 (Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 12.
RAPGEF3, also known as EPAC1 or cAMP-GEFI, is a protein encoded by the RAPGEF3 gene in humans. EPAC proteins (EPAC1 and EPAC2) are intracellular cAMP sensors that act as nucleotide exchange factors for the Rap subfamily of RAS-like small GTPases. The RAPGEF3 gene was discovered in 1998 by two independent research groups. It is located on chromosome 12 (12q13.11: 47,734,367-47,771,041) and has three validated transcript variants (1, 2, and 3).
RAPGEF3 acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the RAP1A and RAP2A small GTPases, being activated by binding cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). It forms a signaling complex through simultaneous binding of PDE3B and PIK3R6, which activates the PI3K gamma complex and participates in angiogenesis. RAPGEF3 plays a role in the cAMP-induced dynamic control of endothelial barrier function through a pathway independent of Rho-mediated signaling. It is required for actin rearrangement at cell-cell junctions, including stress fibers and junctional actin.
RAPGEF3 is also known as CAMP-GEFI, EPAC, EPAC1, HSU79275, bcm910.
