Rac2 is a small (~21 kDa) signaling G protein

G protein

G proteins are a family of proteins involved in transmitting chemical signals outside the cell, and causing changes inside the cell. They communicate signals from many hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling factors. G protein-coupled receptors are transmembrane receptors...

 (more specifically a GTPase

GTPase

GTPases are a large family of hydrolase enzymes that can bind and hydrolyze guanosine triphosphate . The GTP binding and hydrolysis takes place in the highly conserved G domain common to all GTPases.-Functions:...

), and is a member of the Rac subfamily of the family Rho family of GTPases

Rho family of GTPases

The Rho family of GTPases is a family of small signaling G protein , and is a subfamily of the Ras superfamily. The members of the Rho GTPase family have been shown to regulate many aspects of intracellular actin dynamics, and are found in all eukaryotic organisms including yeasts and some plants...

. It is encoded by the gene RAC2.

Members of Rho family of GTPases appear to regulate a diverse array of cellular events, including the control of cell growth, cytoskeletal reorganization, and the activation of protein kinases.

Interactions

Rac2 has been shown to interact

Protein-protein interaction

Protein–protein interactions occur when two or more proteins bind together, often to carry out their biological function. Many of the most important molecular processes in the cell such as DNA replication are carried out by large molecular machines that are built from a large number of protein...

 with ARHGDIA

ARHGDIA

Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ARHGDIA gene.-Interactions:ARHGDIA has been shown to interact with RHOA, CDC42, RhoH, RAC1 and Rac2.-Further reading:...

 and Nitric oxide synthase 2A

Nitric oxide synthase 2A

Nitric oxide synthase, inducible is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the NOS2 gene.Nitric oxide is a reactive free radical which acts as a biologic mediator in several processes, including neurotransmission and antimicrobial and antitumoral activities...

.

External links

• RAC2 Info with links in the Cell Migration Gateway