Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 10 (ARHGEF10)

ARHGEF10 is a member of the family of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), which are implicated in neural morphogenesis and connectivity and regulate the activity of small Rho GTPases by catalyzing the exchange of bound GDP by GTP. The deduced 1,121-amino acid protein shares significant similarity with cell signaling proteins. RT-PCR of several tissues detected relatively weak expression only in testis, lung, kidney, and ovary.

The mouse ARHGEF10 ortholog, Gef10, is highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Sequence comparison indicated that the ARHGEF10 signaling pathway is unique to vertebrates. The authors suggested that ARHGEF10 has a role in developmental myelination of peripheral nerves.