Vav (protein)
{{short description|Proteins involved in cell signalling}}
Vav is a family of proteins involved in cell signalling. They act as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for small G proteins of the Rho family.{{cite journal|last1=Bustelo|first1=X. R.|title=Regulatory and Signaling Properties of the Vav Family|journal=Molecular and Cellular Biology|date=March 2000|volume=20|issue=5|pages=1461–1477|doi=10.1128/MCB.20.5.1461-1477.2000|pmid=10669724|pmc=85310}}{{cite journal|last1=Bustelo|first1=Xosé R|title=Vav family exchange factors: an integrated regulatory and functional view|journal=Small GTPases|date=November 2014|volume=5|issue=2|pages=e973757|doi=10.4161/21541248.2014.973757|pmid=25483299|pmc=4601183}} GEF activity is mediated via module of tandem DH-PH domains. Vav proteins also appear to exhibit GEF-independent functions. Although it was originally thought that Vav proteins would only be present in multicellular organisms, Vav family proteins have been observed in Choanoflagellates.
Function
Some functions of the Vav protein are important for the immune system. Specifically the ability of Vav to change the cytoskeletal structure of lymphocytes, which is particularly used to "aim" cytokines towards bound pathogens or cells.{{cite web |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/vav-protein |title=Vav (Protein) |website=sciencedirect.com}}
In humans there are three Vav proteins: