Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 18 (ARHGEF18)

Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 18 (ARHGEF18) is an enzyme that functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for RhoA and RAC1 GTPases, thereby regulating the switch from the inactive GDP-bound form to the active GTP-bound form in these small G proteins. It plays a crucial role in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton, formation of actin stress fibers, tight junction assembly, and maintenance of epithelial barrier function. It also participates in intracellular signaling pathways including transcription regulation, cell growth, motility, and, under specific conditions such as viral infection, immune response activation through the NF-κB pathway. Dysregulation or mutation of ARHGEF18 has been associated with diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and may be implicated in cancer and other cytoskeleton-related cellular disorders.

Other names

P114RhoGEFP114-RhoGEFKIAA0521114 kDa Rho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factorRho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor p114Rho/Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) 18Septin-associated RhoGEFRP78SA-RhoGEFMGC15913

Guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity (activates RhoA, and RAC1 by facilitating GDP-GTP exchange); Modulation of actin stress fiber formation and reactive oxygen species (for RAC1); Activation of NF-κB pathway through protein–protein interaction in viral infection context