Dedicator Of Cytokinesis 9 (DOCK9)

Dock9 shares a similar structure of two core domains (known as DHR1 and DHR2) which are shared by all DOCK family members. The C-terminal DHR2 domain functions as an atypical GEF domain for small G proteins (see Dock180: structure and function) and the DHR1 domain is known, in some DOCK-A/B/C subfamily proteins, to be involved in their recruitment to the plasma membrane. Unlike DOCK-A/B/C proteins DOCK-D proteins (including Dock9) contain an N-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain which mediates their recruitment to the membrane. Dock9, along with other DOCK-C/D subfamily members, can activate Cdc42 in vitro and in vivo via its DHR2 domain. However, Dock9 adopts an autoinhibitory conformation which masks the DHR2 domain in its resting state.