RAB42, Member RAS Oncogene Family (RAB42)

RAB42 Belongs to the small GTPase superfamily. Rab family. Small GTPases are a family of hydrolase enzymes that can bind and hydrolyze guanosine triphosphate (GTP). They are a form of G-proteins found in the cytosol which are homologous to the alpha subunit of heterotrimeric G-proteins, but unlike the alpha subunit of G proteins, a small GTPase can function independently as a hydrolase enzyme to bind to and hydrolyze a guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to form guanosine diphosphate (GDP). The most well-known members are the Ras GTPases and hence they are sometimes called Ras superfamily GTPases. A typical G-protein is active when bound to GTP and inactive when bound to GDP (i.e. when the GTP is hydrolyzed to GDP). The GDP can be then replaced by free GTP. Therefore, a G-protein can be switched on and off.