HRAS1/A0200

HRAS1 (Harvey rat sarcoma virus oncogene 1, also known as A0200) is a small GTPase, comprising 189 amino acids, which binds either guanosine diphosphate (GDP) or guanosine triphosphate (GTP) depending on its activation state.

HRAS1 (Harvey rat sarcoma virus oncogene 1, also known as A0200) is a small GTPase, comprising 189 amino acids, which binds either guanosine diphosphate (GDP) or guanosine triphosphate (GTP) depending on its activation state. This state of activation is regulated by guanylate exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). HRAS1 is a proto-oncogene (when mutated, it can contribute to cancer) and regulates cell proliferation and differentiation. It is also abundantly expressed in the adult brain, where cell proliferation is not widespread, and has been shown to be an important signaling protein in synaptic plasticity. In HRAS1 knock-out mice, the amplitude of synaptic responses after the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) is greater than in wild type mice. This observation is thought to be caused by increased levels of phosphorylation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, resulting in enhanced NMDA receptor activity at the synapse.