Background information
ARFGAP1 (ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase-activating protein 1), ARFGAP2 (ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase-activating protein 2) and ARFGAP3 (ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase-activating protein 3) are GTPase-activating proteins (GAP) that are associated with the Golgi apparatus and interact with ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF). These proteins promote hydrolysis of ARF-bound GTP and are required for the dissociation of coat proteins from Golgi-derived membranes and vesicles. Dissociation of the coat proteins is required for the fusion of these vesicles with target compartments. The activity of ARFGAP1, ARFGAP2 and ARFGAP3 is stimulated by phosphoinosides and inhibited by phosphatidylcholine. The genes encoding ARFGAP1, ARFGAP2 and ARFGAP3 map to human chromosomes 20q13.33, 11p11.2 and 22q13.2, respectively.