Dexamethasone Induced Ras Related Protein 2 (RASD2)

RASD2 encodes a Ras-related protein that is produced largely in the striatum. The product of this gene binds to GTP and possesses intrinsic GTPase activity. The gene belongs to the Ras superfamily of small GTPases. The exact function of this gene is unknown, but most striatum-specific mRNAs characterized to date encode components of signal transduction cascades. RHES shares highest similarity with DEXRAS (RASD1). Northern blot analysis of several rat tissues detected high Rhes expression in brain, much lower expression in thyroid gland, and little to no expression in other tissues. In situ hybridization revealed prominent expression in striatum, in specific regions of the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and thalamus, and in several brain nuclei.