GTPases are a family of enzymes that hydrolyze GTP (guanosine triphosphate) to GDP (guanosine diphosphate) and inorganic phosphate (Pi). These enzymes are involved in a wide range of cellular processes such as signal transduction, protein synthesis, vesicular trafficking, and cytoskeleton organization. GTPases can be classified into several subfamilies based on their structure and function, including the Ras, Rho, Rab, Arf, and Ran families.
One of the best-known GTPases is the Ras protein, which is involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Mutations in Ras are commonly found in cancer cells, leading to the constitutive activation of the Ras signaling pathway and uncontrolled cell proliferation.
GTPases are also important targets for pharmacological intervention, as drugs that inhibit GTPase activity can be used to treat diseases such as cancer and bacterial infections