ARHGEF3 Positive Control

Rho-like GTPases are involved in a variety of cellular processes, and they are activated by binding GTP and inactivated by conversion of GTP to GDP by their intrinsic GTPase activity. Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) accelerate the GTPase activity of Rho GTPases by catalyzing their release of bound GDP. This gene encodes a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, which specifically activates two members of the Rho GTPase family: RHOA and RHOB, both of which have a role in bone cell biology. It has been identified that genetic variation in this gene plays a role in the determination of bone mineral density (BMD), indicating the implication of this gene in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

ARHGEF3: Acts as guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for RhoA and RhoB GTPases. 4 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: GAPs, Rac/Rho; Motility/polarity/chemotaxis; GAPs

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 3p14.3

Cellular Component: intracellular; cytosol

Molecular Function: Rho guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity

Biological Process: regulation of small GTPase mediated signal transduction; nerve growth factor receptor signaling pathway; positive regulation of apoptosis; small GTPase mediated signal transduction; Rho protein signal transduction