Small GTPase Rac1: Structure, Localization, and Expression of the Human Gene

Rac1 is a member of the Rho family of small GTPases involved in signal transduction pathways that control proliferation, adhesion, and migration of cells during embryonic development and invasiveness of tumor cells. Here we present the complete structure of the human RAC1 gene and characterize its e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2000-11, Vol.277 (3), p.741-751
Main Authors: Matos, Paulo, Skaug, Jennifer, Marques, Bárbara, Beck, Sebastian, Veríssimo, Fátima, Gespach, Christian, Boavida, Maria Guida, Scherer, Stephen W., Jordan, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
5' Untranslated Regions - genetics
Actins - physiology
Alternative Splicing
Amino Acid Sequence
Base Sequence
chromosome 7
Chromosome Mapping
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7
colorectal cancer
Cytoskeleton - physiology
DNA - analysis
Exons
Fibroblasts - physiology
Gene Expression Regulation
Genome, Human
housekeeping gene
Humans
Introns
Karyotyping
Molecular Sequence Data
Molecular Weight
polyadenylation
Promoter Regions, Genetic - genetics
RAC1 gene
rac1 GTP-Binding Protein - genetics
rac1 GTP-Binding Protein - isolation & purification
Rac1 protein
rho protein
signal transduction
small GTPase Rac1
Transfection
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Summary:Rac1 is a member of the Rho family of small GTPases involved in signal transduction pathways that control proliferation, adhesion, and migration of cells during embryonic development and invasiveness of tumor cells. Here we present the complete structure of the human RAC1 gene and characterize its expression. The gene comprises 7 exons over a length of 29 kb and is localized to chromosome 7p22. The GC-rich gene promoter shows characteristics of a housekeeping gene and Northern blot studies revealed ubiquitous expression of two rac1 transcripts, 1.2 and 2.5 kb in size. The two transcripts are expressed in tissue-specific ratios, reflecting competition between two alternative polyadenylation sites. The RAC1 but not RAC2 gene contains an additional exon 3b that is included by alternative splicing into the variant Rac1b, a constitutively active mutant which induces the formation of lamellipodia in fibroblasts. These data indicate that the RAC1 gene encodes two signaling GTPases.The gene structure reported here will enable studies on the regulation of RAC1 expression during tumorigenesis and development.
ISSN:0006-291X
1090-2104
DOI:10.1006/bbrc.2000.3743