RAC1 Human

RAC1 is a small GTP-binding protein that belongs to the Rac subfamily of the Rho family within the Ras superfamily. It plays a crucial role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton and various cellular processes, including cell migration, cell-cell adhesion, and endocytosis .

RAC1 is composed of 192 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 21 kDa. The human RAC1 gene is located on chromosome 7p22 and consists of seven exons spanning a length of 29 kb . The protein is characterized by its ability to bind and hydrolyze GTP, which is essential for its role in signal transduction.

RAC1 is involved in several key cellular functions:

• Cell Migration: RAC1 regulates cell migration by controlling the actin cytoskeleton. It promotes the formation of lamellipodia, which are essential for cell movement .
• Cell-Cell Adhesion: RAC1 plays a role in maintaining cell-cell adhesion by regulating the actin cytoskeleton and interacting with other proteins involved in adhesion processes .
• Endocytosis: RAC1 is a master regulator of clathrin-independent endocytosis, particularly in the endophilin-A3-mediated pathway. It interacts with the actin cytoskeleton and microtubules to facilitate the uptake of specific cell surface proteins .

Recombinant human RAC1 is typically produced in E. coli and purified using conventional chromatography techniques. The recombinant protein is often fused to a His-tag at the N-terminus to facilitate purification .

RAC1 is a key player in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. It participates in signal transduction from the external cell environment to the actin cytoskeleton, promoting the establishment of cell polarity and facilitating cancer cell movement . Targeting RAC1 and its regulatory mechanisms is considered a potential strategy for cancer therapy.