Background information
The Ras superfamily of GTPases can be subdivided into the Ras, Rho/Rac, Sar, Rab, Arf, Rap and Ran subfamilies, all of which control multiple aspects of cell function, including cytoskeletal rearrangement, nuclear signaling and cell growth. The Ras superfamily of GTPases function as regulated switches that toggle between a biologically active GTP-bound and an inactive GDP-bound form. This activation is catalyzed by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). RIC-8A (resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase 8 homolog A), also known as RIC8 or Synembryn-A, is a 530 amino acid cytoplasmic protein that can activate several G-alpha proteins, including G?i-1, G?q and G?o. Functioning as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, RIC-8A binds to GDP-associated substrates and exchanges bound GDP for free GTP. Via its ability to stimulate protein function, RIC-8A plays a role in regulating mitotic movement and may be involved in receptor-mediated ERK activation. RIC-8A is expressed as three isoforms due to alternative splicing events.
