ADP Ribosylation Factor Like Protein 2 (ARL2)

ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs), small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that enhance the enzymatic activities of cholera toxin, constitute 1 family of the RAS superfamily. Monomeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins of the RAS superfamily function in a variety of cellular processes including signaling, growth, immunity, and protein transport.

Clark et al. (1993) used degenerate PCR to clone human ARL2, a member of a functionally distinct group of ARF-like genes. ARL2 encodes a 184-amino acid predicted protein that is 76% identical to ARF1 and about 40 to 45% identical to the Drosophila ARL proteins. Recombinant ARL2 was shown to bind GTP rapidly but guanine nucleotide exchange did not require phospholipids, a characteristic of the ARF proteins.