Ras GTPase-activating-like protein IQGAP1 (IQGAP1)

IQGAP1 is a multifunctional molecular scaffold found throughout human tissues that interacts directly with actin, microtubules, Rho family GTPases (like CDC42 and Rac1), β-catenin, E-cadherin, and components of the MAPK signaling pathway. Unlike classical GTPase-activating proteins, IQGAP1 does not stimulate GTP hydrolysis on Ras GTPases but instead stabilizes their active GTP-bound forms. By orchestrating assembly and localization of a wide variety of signaling complexes, IQGAP1 couples extracellular signals (from growth factors and chemokines) to cytoskeletal rearrangements, gene expression, cell adhesion, and migration. Its crucial role in signal integration makes it a central regulator in cancer progression, cell morphogenesis, wound repair, and potentially immune responses. IQGAP1 is considered a “node” in multiple signaling networks and its dysregulation or overexpression is implicated in aggressive tumor growth and metastasis.

Other names

IQGAP1KIAA0051p195SAR1HUMORFA01RasGAP-like with IQ motifsRas GTPase-activating-like protein IQGAP1

For hypothetical drugs: Modulation of scaffold function, inhibition of protein-protein interactions (disrupting IQGAP1 interactions with actin, small GTPases, β-catenin, MAPK proteins), blocking downstream signaling cascades, or altering cytoskeletal organization