The ABR activator of RhoGEF and GTPase, also symbolized as ABR, gene has a reported 13
alternatively spliced transcript variants. This gene is found to have ubiquitous
expression within 23
human tissues, including the heart and brain. The protein encoded by ABR shares
homology with the
Breakpoint Cluster Region (BCR) gene located on
chromosome 22 and has shown to share similar protein functions. Additionally, the protein encoded by this gene contains a
GTPase-activating protein domain, a
domain found in members of the
Rho family of
GTP-binding proteins. The ABR is an inhibitor of
ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1), a protein found to influence
cell growth,
motility of the cell, and maintain
adhesion to neighboring
epithelial cells. Recent papers suggest ABR has
tumor suppressor properties in
leukemia because of its role as a RAC1 inhibitor and is being researched as a potential therapy treatment in leukemia patients. Other studies suggest ABR plays an important role in
vestibular morphogenesis. == References ==