RhoGEF
RhoGEF, or Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor, designates a class of proteins that activate Rho family GTPases by promoting the exchange of GDP for GTP. Through this activity they regulate cytoskeletal dynamics, cell polarity, adhesion, migration, and morphogenesis. RhoGEFs act downstream of receptor signaling to convert inactive GDP-bound GTPases into active GTP-bound forms.
The most studied class is the Dbl family, named after the founding oncoprotein Dbl. Dbl-family GEFs contain
There is also the DOCK family, which activates Rac and Cdc42 through a DOCK Homology 2 (DHR-2)
RhoGEF activity is tightly regulated by autoinhibitory interaction, phosphorylation, and binding of adaptor proteins or lipids;