Rho GTPase activating protein 39 (ARHGAP39)

Rho GTPase activating protein 39 (ARHGAP39) is an enzyme that regulates the activity of Rho family GTPases, particularly Rac and Cdc42, thereby controlling cytoskeletal dynamics, cell growth, neural development, cell migration, apoptosis, and postsynaptic organization[2][3][4]. It is implicated in the biology of cancer, most notably hepatocellular carcinoma, where its overexpression correlates with poor prognosis and increased immune infiltration, and acts as a potential prognostic biomarker[2]. ARHGAP39 is also associated with neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Parkinson disease) and is active in neuronal tissues, where it plays a role in dendritic spine morphology and neurogenesis[4]. No specific drugs targeting ARHGAP39 are currently identified, but its pathway and expression are associated with response to anticancer agents and the immune microenvironment[2][3].

Other names

VilseCrGAPKIAA1688VILSECRGAPRhoGAP93B homolog (Drosophila)crossGAP homolog (Drosophila)Preoptic regulatory factor-2 (Porf-2)

Drugs or small molecules targeting ARHGAP39 would be expected to modulate Rho GTPase signaling pathways, impacting processes such as cell migration, apoptosis, and cytoskeletal rearrangement; known association with chemotherapy response/resistance but no specific mechanism of direct pharmacological modulation described in current references[2].