ras-like GTPases

Family of small G-proteins (rac, rab, ran, rad, rho, gem, kir, ric, rin, rit, Ypt). The rab subfamily is required for membrane traffic in eukaryotic cells, ral has been associated with growth factor-induced DNA synthesis and oncogenic transformation. Ran is highly conserved and found in the nucleus. Rho and rac are involved in cytoskeletal control. Rin, ric and rit lack prenylation sequences and are well conserved between Drosophila and man; rin is confined to neuronal cells. Ypts are the yeast homologues, of which 11 are known.The Rad subfamily - rad (ras associated with diabetes), gem (immediate early gene expressed in mitogen-stimulated T-cells) and kir (tyrosine kinase-inducible ras-like) - bind calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner via a C-terminal extension. and also have various serine phosphorylation sites so their activity may be regulated by kinases including CaMKII, PKA, PKC and CKII.