Rho GTPase-activating protein 11A (ARHGAP11A)

Rho GTPase-activating protein 11A is a cytoplasmic protein encoded by the ARHGAP11A gene (chromosome 15q13.3). It belongs to the RhoGAP family, accelerating the inactivation of Rho-type GTPases (notably RhoA), and regulates many cellular functions including actin cytoskeleton dynamics, cell migration, invasion, proliferation, apoptosis, and immune cell activity[1][2][3][4][5]. ARHGAP11A interacts with and stimulates tetramerization of the tumor suppressor p53 in response to DNA damage, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis[4][5]. Elevated expression is correlated with several aggressive cancers (glioblastoma, pancreatic, colorectal, breast, gastric), and knockdown causes cell cycle arrest, suggesting a key role in malignant progression. It is also involved in neurodevelopment and is associated with several syndromic and behavioral phenotypes. ARHGAP11A is being investigated as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and as a candidate therapeutic target for oncology, though no specific drugs currently target it directly.

Other names

ARHGAP11ARho GTPase-activating protein 11AKIAA0013GAP (1–12)Rho-type GTPase-activating protein 11AARHGA11A-SCG5 readthrough transcript/protein

Inactivation of Rho GTPases (switching active GTP-bound state to inactive GDP-bound state); Modulation of p53 activity (promotes tetramerization and DNA binding of p53, leading to cell cycle arrest/apoptosis); Regulation of CDKs and cyclins via cell cycle (affecting Rb/E2F1 pathway)