ARF1

ARF1

Target · Small GTPase

ARF1 ARF GTPase 1 · ADP-ribosylation factor 1

ARF1 (ARF GTPase 1, also known as ADP-ribosylation factor 1) is a small guanine nucleotide-binding protein of the ARF family. It localises to the Golgi apparatus, where it has a central role in intra-Golgi transport and vesicular trafficking. Browse Assay Genie's current range of ARF1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.

Golgi apparatus membraneSmall GTPase, Arf familyClass I ARF member
181 aa
Protein length
~21 kDa
Molecular weight
1q42.13
Gene locus
EC 3.6.5.2
Enzyme class
Target information

What is ARF1 (ARF GTPase 1)?

ARF1 belongs to the Arf family within the small GTPase superfamily. As a small guanine nucleotide-binding protein, it acts in vesicular trafficking, and the ARF family as a whole is described as activating phospholipase D. The ARF1 protein is localised to the Golgi apparatus and has a central role in intra-Golgi transport. UniProt also lists it at the synapse, in synaptosomes and in the postsynaptic density, alongside its Golgi membrane location.

ARF1 has a second, unusual property that gave the family its name. In the context of microbial infection, it functions as an allosteric activator of the catalytic subunit of cholera toxin, an ADP-ribosyltransferase. ARF family members were identified through this ability to stimulate the toxin's ADP-ribosyltransferase activity.

The human ARF gene family comprises 6 ARF proteins and 11 ARF-like proteins, which together form part of the RAS superfamily. The ARF proteins fall into three classes: class I (ARF1, ARF2 and ARF3), class II (ARF4 and ARF5) and class III (ARF6). Members of each class share a common gene organisation. The ARF1 gene produces multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants, all of which encode the same protein. HGNC classifies the gene within the ARF GTPase family, as a receptor ligand gene group member and as a microRNA protein coding host gene. Mouse and rat each have an Arf1 ortholog, which makes comparative work across these species straightforward.

Golgi trafficking research

ARF1 has a central role in intra-Golgi transport, making it a key protein for studying vesicular trafficking.

Small GTPase biology

As a member of the Arf family within the RAS superfamily, ARF1 is a reference point for guanine nucleotide-binding protein studies.

Cholera toxin mechanism

ARF1 is an allosteric activator of the cholera toxin catalytic subunit, an ADP-ribosyltransferase, so it features in toxin–host interaction work.

Synaptic protein localisation

UniProt records ARF1 in synaptosomes and the postsynaptic density, which supports study of its distribution beyond the Golgi.

Background

ARF1 frequently asked questions

What does ARF1 do?

ARF1 is a small GTPase that functions in vesicular trafficking and has a central role in intra-Golgi transport. The ARF family is also described as activating phospholipase D. During infection, ARF1 acts as an allosteric activator of the cholera toxin catalytic subunit.

What other names does ARF1 go by, and are there isoforms?

HGNC lists the approved name as ARF GTPase 1, with the previous name ADP ribosylation factor 1. UniProt uses ADP-ribosylation factor 1. No other aliases are recorded. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants exist, but they all encode the same protein.

How is ARF1 related to other ARF proteins and to other species?

ARF1 is a class I ARF, together with ARF2 and ARF3. Class II contains ARF4 and ARF5, and class III contains ARF6. Mouse and rat both have an ortholog named Arf1. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.

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Related targets

Other ARF family members and ARF-associated proteins with products at Assay Genie.

Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P84077; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.

ARF1 Product listing