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Target intelligence / Profile preview
Rho GTPase-activating protein 18 (ARHGAP18)
- Target
- ARHGAP18
- Molecular classification
- Enzyme, Rho GTPase-activating protein, GTPase regulator
01
Overview
**Rho GTPase-activating protein 18 (ARHGAP18)** is an enzyme that regulates RhoA, a member of the Rho family of small GTPases, which are key molecular switches controlling actin cytoskeleton dynamics in response to extracellular signals[1][2][3]. ARHGAP18 acts as a negative regulator of RhoA by stimulating its intrinsic GTPase activity, inactivating RhoA, and thereby modulating cell shape, migration, spreading, and focal adhesion formation[1][2][3][5]. ARHGAP18 is localized to leading edges of migrating and spreading cells and is required for coordinated cell polarization[1][5]. Its activity is modulated in part by interaction with other proteins such as ezrin, enhancing local control of RhoA activity at the apical cell domain[5]. ARHGAP18 is ubiquitously expressed and essential for maintaining actin cytoskeleton integrity. Dysfunction or altered regulation of ARHGAP18 can contribute to abnormal cell migration and morphology, which has implications for cancer metastasis and other pathological states[1][2][5].
- Other names
- ARHGAP18MacGAPbA307O14.2SENEXRho-type GTPase-activating protein 18rho GTPase-activating protein 18
02
Biological functions
Actin cytoskeleton organizationRegulation of cell migrationRegulation of cell shape and spreadingFocal adhesion formationNegative regulation of RhoA activityCell polarization
03
Disease associations
Cancer (cell migration and invasion roles implicated; see actin cytoskeleton regulation)Other (potential involvement in tissue remodeling, but literature on direct disease roles is limited)
04
Safety considerations
Overexpression or knockdown can disrupt actin cytoskeleton integrity, affecting cell morphologyPotential risk in therapies targeting ARHGAP18 is alteration of cell migration, possibly leading to unwanted effects on tissue repair or tumor spread (extrapolated from cellular function data)
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