ARF6 Human

ARF6 is localized to the plasma membrane and is involved in the regulation of vesicular trafficking and membrane lipid remodeling . The protein’s structure allows it to interact with various other proteins and cellular components, facilitating its role in these processes.

ARF6 has several key functions within the cell:

1. Vesicular Trafficking: ARF6 regulates the trafficking of biological membranes and transmembrane protein cargo . This includes the endocytosis of plasma membrane proteins and, to a lesser extent, their recycling back to the plasma membrane .
2. Actin Cytoskeleton Remodeling: ARF6 is involved in signaling pathways that lead to the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton . This is crucial for various cellular activities, including cell shape changes, motility, and division.
3. Immune Signaling: ARF6 plays a pivotal role in Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-mediated immune signaling . It regulates the cellular uptake of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) into endosomes, which is a critical step in eliciting innate immune responses .

ARF6 functions by cycling between an active GTP-bound state and an inactive GDP-bound state. This cycling is regulated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). In its active state, ARF6 can interact with various effector proteins to carry out its functions .

Research on ARF6 has revealed its importance in various physiological and pathological processes. For instance, inhibition of ARF6 by dominant mutants and siRNA has been shown to impair CpG ODN/TLR9-mediated responses, highlighting its role in immune signaling . Additionally, ARF6 has been implicated in cancer progression, as it can influence cell migration and invasion through its effects on the actin cytoskeleton .

Recombinant human ARF6 is used in research to study these processes and to develop potential therapeutic strategies targeting ARF6-related pathways.