Functional analysis of small G protein Rac1 and Rac3 signalings during corticogenesis

Rac1和Rac3是高度同源的蛋白质，并且很难分别分析它们的功能。在这里，我产生了敲入小鼠，其中表达表位标记的Rac 3，以便Rac 1和Rac 3在蛋白质水平上容易区分。通过使用这些基因敲入小鼠，在发育中的大脑中追踪Rac 1和Rac 3的表达模式。此外，进行Rac 3复合物的蛋白质组学分析以阐明Rac 3在脑中的信号传导。我发现了几种与激活的Rac 3特异性相关的蛋白质。

Rac1 and Rac3 are highly homologous proteins, and it has been quite difficult to analyze their functions separately. Here I generated the knock-in mice, in which express epitope-tagged Rac3 so that Rac1 and Rac3 are easily distinguished at the protein level. By using these knock-in mice, expression patterns of Rac1 and Rac3 are traced in the developing brains. Also, proteomic analysis of Rac3 complex was performed to clarify Rac3 signaling in the brain. I identified several proteins which specifically associate with activated Rac3.