Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 4 (ARHGEF4)

Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 4 (ARHGEF4, commonly known as ASEF) is a member of the Dbl family of GEFs that activates Rho family small GTPases, specifically Rac1 and Cdc42, by facilitating GDP-GTP exchange[1][2][4][5]. ARHGEF4 contains pleckstrin homology (PH) and Dbl homology (DH) domains integral to its function, and is activated by interaction with the APC tumor suppressor, promoting the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, cell shape, motility, and adhesion. It has key roles in cancer cell invasion, metastasis, and neural function, acting as a negative regulator of excitatory synaptic transmission through sequestration of postsynaptic scaffolding proteins (PSD-95). ARHGEF4 is highly expressed in brain and skin and linked to cancer progression and neurobehavioral traits, making it a potential therapeutic target in oncology and neurology research[2][3][4][5][6].

Other names

ARHGEF4ASEFASEF1KIAA1112STM6GEF4SMIM39APC-stimulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1APC-stimulated guanine nucleotide exchange factorAsefAsef1

Theoretically, inhibition of ARHGEF4 would decrease activation of Rac1/Cdc42, leading to reduced cell migration, invasion, and related pathomechanisms in cancer. Modulation could alter excitatory synaptic transmission via PSD-95 regulation, affecting cognitive/behavioral outcomes[2][3][6].