CDC42EP1

CDC42EP1, also known as Borg protein 1 (Borg1), is a protein encoded by the CDC42EP1 gene in humans. It belongs to the CDC42 effector protein (CEP) family, which are a group of proteins that interact with the Rho family GTPase CDC42.

CDC42 is a small GTPase that acts as a molecular switch, cycling between an inactive GDP-bound state and an active GTP-bound state. In its active form, CDC42 interacts with and activates a variety of downstream effector proteins, leading to changes in cellular processes such as cell morphology, cell motility, and cell cycle progression.

CDC42EP1/Borg1 binds specifically to the GTP-bound (active) form of CDC42. This interaction modulates CDC42 signaling and affects downstream cellular processes. Specifically, CDC42EP1 functions as a scaffold protein, facilitating the interaction between CDC42 and other proteins involved in cytoskeletal organization and cell polarity. It plays a role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton and establishing cell polarity during processes such as cell migration and morphogenesis.

The precise functions of CDC42EP1 vary depending on the cellular context and interacting partners. Research suggests involvement in processes such as:

• Cell Polarization: CDC42EP1 helps to establish and maintain cell polarity, which is essential for cell migration, differentiation, and tissue organization.

• Cytoskeletal Organization: By interacting with actin-binding proteins, CDC42EP1 influences the organization of the actin cytoskeleton, affecting cell shape and motility.

• Cell Adhesion: CDC42EP1 may regulate cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix and to other cells.

• Tumorigenesis: Aberrant expression or function of CDC42EP1 has been implicated in some cancers, suggesting a potential role in tumor development and progression. Its specific role in tumorigenesis may be context-dependent, acting as either a tumor suppressor or an oncogene depending on the cancer type.

Further research is ongoing to fully elucidate the complex roles of CDC42EP1 and its interactions with other proteins in various cellular processes and disease states.