Gradients Of Rac1 Nanoclusters Support Spatial Patterns of Rac1 Signaling

Rac1 and 11β-HSD2 signaling

The aim of the study was to characterize the role of Rac1 GTPase for the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) mediated pro-fibrotic remodeling. Transgenic mice with cardiac overexpression of constitutively active Rac1 (RacET) develop an age-dependent phenotype with atrial dilatation, fibrosis and atrial fibrillation. Expression of MR was similar in RacET and wild-type (WT) mice. The expression of 11...

GEFs: Dual regulation of Rac1 signaling

GEFs play a critical role in regulating Rac1 signaling. They serve as signaling nodes converting upstream signals into downstream Rac1-driven cellular responses. Through associating with membrane-bound Rac1, GEFs facilitate the exchange of GDP for GTP, thereby activating Rac1. As a result, Rac1 undergoes conformational changes that mediate its interaction with downstream effectors, linking Rac1...

Rac1 in human diseases: The therapeutic potential of targeting Rac1 signaling regulatory mechanisms

Abnormal Rac1 signaling is linked to a number of debilitating human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. As such, Rac1 represents an attractive therapeutic target, yet the search for effective Rac1 inhibitors is still underway. Given the adverse effects associated with Rac1 signaling perturbation, cells have evolved several mechanisms to ensure th...

Serine-71 Phosphorylation of Rac1 Modulates Downstream Signaling

The Rho GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42 regulate a variety of cellular functions by signaling to different signal pathways. It is believed that the presence of a specific effector at the location of GTPase activation determines the route of downstream signaling. We previously reported about EGF-induced Ser-71 phosphorylation of Rac1/Cdc42. By using the phosphomimetic S71E-mutants of Rac1 and Cdc42 we in...

The role of small GTPase Rac1 in stress signaling