RAC1 GTPase cycle

This pathway catalogues RAC1 guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), GTPase activator proteins (GAPs), GDP dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) and RAC1 effectors (reviewed by Payapilli and Malliri 2018). RAC1 is one of the three best characterized RHO GTPases, the other two being RHOA and CDC42. RAC1 regulates the cytoskeleton and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and is involved in cell adhesion and cell migration. RAC1 is involved in neuronal development (de Curtis et al. 2014). In neurons, RAC1 activity is regulated by synaptic activation and RAC1-mediated changes in actin cytoskeleton are implicated in dendritic spine morphogenesis, which plays a role in memory formation and learning. RAC1 is involved in metabolic regulation of pancreatic islet β-cells and in diabetes pathophysiology. RAC1-mediated activation of NOX2 contributes to mitochondrial damage and the development of retinopathy in patients with diabetes. RAC1 is important for exercise and contraction-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscles. RAC1 plays an important role in the maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity under physiological conditions and during tissue repair after resolution of colitis. Toxins of many diarrhea-causing bacteria target RAC1. RAC1 is important for skin homeostasis and wound healing and is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. RAC1 is essential to vascular homeostasis and chronically elevated RAC1 signaling contributes to vascular pathology. RAC1 hyperactivation, mutation and copy-number gain are frequently observed in solid tumors.

Summary from Reactome (R-HSA-9013149), read 2026-09-23.