Epac proteins: multi-purpose cAMP targets

JL Bos - Trends in biochemical sciences, 2006 - cell.com
Trends in biochemical sciences, 2006cell.com
Epac1 and Epac2 are cAMP-dependent guanine-nucleotide-exchange factors for the small
GTPases Rap1 and Rap2, and are known to be important mediators of cAMP signaling. The
recent determination of the crystal structure of Epac2 has indicated a mechanism for the
activation of the multi-domain Epac proteins. In addition, these proteins have been
implicated in various cellular processes such as integrin-mediated cell adhesion and cell–
cell junction formation, the control of insulin secretion and neurotransmitter release. In most …
Epac1 and Epac2 are cAMP-dependent guanine-nucleotide-exchange factors for the small GTPases Rap1 and Rap2, and are known to be important mediators of cAMP signaling. The recent determination of the crystal structure of Epac2 has indicated a mechanism for the activation of the multi-domain Epac proteins. In addition, these proteins have been implicated in various cellular processes such as integrin-mediated cell adhesion and cell–cell junction formation, the control of insulin secretion and neurotransmitter release. In most of these processes, cAMP signaling through protein kinase A (PKA) is also involved, stressing the interconnectivity between Epac- and PKA-mediated signaling.
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