Background information
Rad and Gem related GTP binding protein (REM) is a member of the RGK subfamily of Ras-like GTPases that also includes Rad, REM2 and Gem/Kir. REM is a phosphorylated protein that is highly expressed in cardiac muscle and moderately expressed in lung, kidney and skeletal muscle. REM associates with several 14-3-3 isoforms as well as with calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner. REM mediates two distinct signal transduction pathways that regulate both cytoskeletal reorganization and voltage-gated calcium channel activity. REM decreases the current that passes through cardiac voltage-gated L-type Ca channels (Ca(V)). Overexpression of REM may result in the development of cytoplasmic processes, reorganization of the Actin cytoskeleton, reduction in focal adhesion size and an elongated or dendritic-like cell morphology.