Rho GTPase activating protein 11B (ARHGAP11B)

Rho GTPase activating protein 11B (ARHGAP11B) is a human-specific protein-coding gene created by partial duplication of ARHGAP11A. It encodes an inactive (lacking GAP enzymatic activity) truncated version of the RhoGAP domain protein. ARHGAP11B plays a key role in amplifying basal progenitors—neural stem-like cells—thereby contributing to neocortex folding and expansion, a hallmark of human brain evolution[1][2][3][4][5]. Mechanistically, ARHGAP11B localizes to mitochondria, where it facilitates glutaminolysis (the metabolism of glutamine to alpha-ketoglutarate via glutamate), influencing energy metabolism and promoting the proliferation of neural progenitor cells[1][4][5]. It does not display canonical RhoGAP activity but has a unique human-specific C-terminal sequence essential for its function in cortical development[1][2][3]. ARHGAP11B is not a recognized therapeutic target, nor are there any known drugs or biomarkers currently in clinical use related to it. However, it is highly significant in evolutionary biology for its role in the increase in neocortex size seen in humans compared to other species[1][2][3].

Other names

Inactive Rho GTPase-activating protein 11BFAM7B1B'-TGAP (1-8)family with sequence similarity 7 member B1rho-type GTPase-activating protein 11B