ADP核糖基化因子的结构及其功能机制

Structure and Functional Mechanism of the ADP-ribosylation Factor

ADP核糖基化因子(ADP-ribosylation factor,ARF)是Ras基因超家族的成员,它们是大小约20kDa的鸟嘌呤核苷酸结合蛋白。ARF最初发现作为霍乱毒素ADP-核糖转移酶的辅助因子共同作用于G蛋白α亚基,促使其ADP-核糖基化。近来人们发现ARF还参与囊泡运输、调节磷脂酶D的活性,在细胞内物质运输和信号转导过程中具有更加重要的生理功能。现就ARF的发现、分类、结构和功能、表达以及生理功能作一综述。

ADP-ribosylation factors （ARFs） are members of the Ras superfamily of -20 kDa guanine nucleotide binding proteins that were initially identified by their ability to stimulate cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP- ribosyltransferase activity of the α-subunit of G proteins. They have recently been implicated to function in vesicular trafficking and regulating the activation of phospholipase D, which play more important roles in cells to regulate membrane traffic and intracellular signal transduction system. Our topics range from the history of discovery to classification, gene structure and function, expression and physiological effects of this important protein.