Rap1gap2, a GTPase-activating protein of Rap1, plays crucial roles in multiple biological processes. It is involved in regulating integrin alpha(IIb)beta3 activity and platelet aggregation through the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) signaling pathway [1]. Additionally, it is associated with axon outgrowth in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) [2]. In pancreatic cancer, it may provide protection against the disease [3].

In platelets, Rap1gap2 is phosphorylated by cGKI, which might mediate the inhibitory effects of NO/cGMP on Rap1 [1]. In OSNs, its overexpression limits neurite outgrowth and branching, while knockdown leads to increased axon length, indicating its role in axon growth dynamics during early postnatal development [2]. In pancreatic cancer, genes including Rap1gap2 were integrated into a prognostic risk model to predict patient prognosis [3].

In summary, Rap1gap2 is significant in regulating platelet-related functions, axon outgrowth, and potentially pancreatic cancer prognosis. Research on Rap1gap2 using models helps understand its roles in these biological processes and disease conditions, potentially offering new insights for related disease prevention and treatment.

References:

1. Schultess, Jan, Danielewski, Oliver, Smolenski, Albert P. 2005. Rap1GAP2 is a new GTPase-activating protein of Rap1 expressed in human platelets. In Blood, 105, 3185-92. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15632203/

2. Sadrian, Benjamin, Cheng, Ting-Wen, Shull, Olivia, Gong, Qizhi. 2012. Rap1gap2 regulates axon outgrowth in olfactory sensory neurons. In Molecular and cellular neurosciences, 50, 272-82. doi:10.1016/j.mcn.2012.06.003. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22732430/

3. Li, Xiaofeng, Yu, Ranran, Shi, Baochang, Zhang, Kai, Liang, Li. 2024. Liquid-liquid phase separation-related features of PYGB/ACTR3/CCNA2/ITGB1/ATP8A1/RAP1GAP2 predict the prognosis of pancreatic cancer. In Journal of gastrointestinal oncology, 15, 1723-1745. doi:10.21037/jgo-24-426. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39279964/