Rac1 and Rac2 GTPases in haematopoiesis.
The highly homologous Rac1 and Rac2 GTPases are co-expressed in cells of haematopoietic origin and are likely to show some functional redundancy. While disruption of the Rac2 gene in mice has provided insight into some of its functions, Rac1 null mice are embryonic lethal and only recently has conditional gene disruption been possible. Consequently, two articles1,2 have recently elucidated some overlapping and unique key roles of Rac1 and Rac2 in haematopoietic processes including specialized roles in innate and humoral immunity.
CRUK Institute for Cancer Studies, Birmingham University, Edgbaston, UK. victoriaw@cancer.bham.ac.uk
Victoria J
VJ
Weston
Tatjana
T
Stankovic
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000502:physiology*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D020744:rac GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000097766:RAC2 GTP-Binding Protein
D020744:rac GTP-Binding Proteins; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein; D000097766:RAC2 GTP-Binding Protein