Rap1: a key regulator in cell-cell junction formation - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

. 2007 Jan 1;120(Pt 1):17-22.

doi: 10.1242/jcs.03306.

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Review

Rap1: a key regulator in cell-cell junction formation

Matthijs R H Kooistra et al. J Cell Sci. 2007.

Abstract

Rap1 is a Ras-like small GTPase that is activated by many extracellular stimuli and strongly implicated in the control of integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Recent evidence indicates that Rap1 also plays a key role in formation of cadherin-based cell-cell junctions. Indeed, inhibition of Rap1 generates immature adherens junctions, whereas activation of Rap1 tightens cell-cell junctions. Interestingly, Rap1 guanine nucleotide exchange factors, such as C3G and PDZ-GEF, are directly linked to E-cadherin or to other junction proteins. Furthermore, several junction proteins, such as afadin/AF6 and proteins controlling the actin cytoskeleton, function as effectors of Rap1. These findings point to a role of Rap1 in spatial and temporal control of cell-cell junction formation.

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