CDC42 GTPase cycle

This pathway catalogues CDC42 guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), GTPase activator proteins (GAPs), GDP dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) and CDC42 effectors. CDC42 is one of the three best characterized RHO GTPases, the other two being RHOA and RAC1. By regulating the cytoskeleton, CDC42 regulates cell polarity across different species, from yeast to humans. CDC42 is an essential regulator of polarized morphogenesis in epithelial cells, where it coordinates formation of the apical membrane and lumen formation, as well as junction maturation. CDC42 plays a role in cell-to-cell adhesion and cell cycle regulation. CDC42 takes part in the regulation of membrane trafficking. Dysfunction of several CDC42-specific GEFs has been shown to impair intracellular trafficking. CDC42 participates in insulin synthesis and secretion and contributes to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetic nephropathy. CDC42 is often dysregulated in cancer because a number of GEFs and GEF activators that act upstream of RAC1 and CDC42 are known oncogenes. CDC4 promotes cancer cell proliferation, survival, invasion, migration and metastasis, especially under hyperglycemia.

Summary from Reactome (R-HSA-9013148), read 2026-09-23.