Kinase Non Catalytic-C-Lobe Domain Containing Protein 1 (KNDC1)

RasGEF presents several phylogenetic groups with missing genes in some. For example, RasGRP and PLCE1 are missing in insects, while KNDC1 is only present in mammals. Other RasGEF and overall Ras groups are related to large speciation processes affecting whole species clades, such as: RasGRP, PLCE1, and KNDC1 groups in the RasGEF family; and RERG, RASL11, REM/RRAD, Rasl12, ERAS, SRS, and RGK groups in the Ras family. The KNDC1 is only present in mammals and is expressed in the brain, with a high abundance in the cerebellum that is restricted to the Purkinje cells . KNDC1 controls dendrite growth, by linking Ras with Map2, a protein that is associated with microtubules . The functional role of KNDC1 genes seem to relate this specific divergent phylogenetic group to brain evolution in mammals.