Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3 (ARHGEF3)

Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3 (ARHGEF3) is an enzyme that acts as a selective guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rho family of small GTPases, primarily activating RhoA and RhoB but not RhoC, RhoG, Rac1, or Cdc42[1][2][5][6][7]. ARHGEF3 contains Dbl homology (DH) and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains and it is involved in regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, cell polarity, migration, growth, and differentiation through Rho GTPase signaling[1][2][5][6][7]. ARHGEF3 also inhibits the mTORC2 complex—independently of its GEF activity—affecting downstream signaling via Akt, which has implications for cell survival, metabolism, and fibrosis[1]. Genetic studies have linked ARHGEF3 to bone mineral density, muscle regeneration and function, platelet formation, and Hirschsprung disease[1][5]. It has been implicated in several disease processes, including cancer, musculoskeletal and metabolic disorders, and may influence tissue regeneration and remodeling[3][5]. There are currently no well-characterized drugs that directly target ARHGEF3, though its pathway may be indirectly influenced by drugs affecting Rho GTPase signaling or mTORC2[1][3][5].

Other names

ARHGEF3XPLNSTA3GEF3DKFZP434F2429Exchange factor found in platelets and leukemic and neuronal tissuesrho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3RhoGEF protein