Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays
Published on: October 8, 2015
Inhibition and termination of physiological responses by GTPase activating proteins
Erzsébet Ligeti1, Stefan Welti, Klaus Scheffzek
1Department of Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. Ligeti@puskin.sote.hu
Abstract:
Physiological processes are strictly organized in space and time. However, in cell physiology research, more attention is given to the question of space rather than to time. To function as a signal, environmental changes must be restricted in time; they need not only be initiated but also terminated. In this review, we concentrate on the role of one specific protein family involved in biological signal termination. GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) accelerate the endogenously low GTP hydrolysis rate of monomeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (GNBPs), limiting thereby their prevalence in the active, GTP-bound form. We discuss cases where defective or excessive GAP activity of specific proteins causes significant alteration in the function of the nervous, endocrine, and hemopoietic systems, or contributes to development of infections and tumors. Biochemical and genetic data as well as observations from human pathology support the notion that GAPs represent vital elements in the spatiotemporal fine tuning of physiological processes.
More Related Videos
13:51Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: November 11, 2018
09:18Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Related Concept Videos
GTPases and their Regulation
Large G-proteins, also known...
GTPases and their Regulation
Large G-proteins, also known...
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...
GPCR Desensitization