SYNGAP1
SYNGAP1 (synaptic Ras GTPase activating protein 1, also known as SYNGAP, RASA5 and KIAA1938) is a Ras/Rap GTPase-activating protein and a major constituent of the postsynaptic density. It negatively regulates Ras and Rap signalling to control synaptic plasticity at excitatory synapses. Browse Assay Genie's current range of SYNGAP1 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
SYNGAP1 is a major constituent of the postsynaptic density (PSD) and is essential for postsynaptic signalling. It is a member of the NMDAR signalling complex at excitatory synapses, where it may contribute to NMDAR-dependent control of AMPAR potentiation, AMPAR membrane trafficking and synaptic plasticity. The protein regulates AMPAR-mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and acts as an inhibitory regulator of the Ras-cAMP pathway. It shows dual GTPase-activating specificity for Ras and Rap, and negatively regulates Ras, Rap and AMPA receptor trafficking to the postsynaptic membrane, supporting synaptic plasticity and neuronal homeostasis.
The SYNGAP1 gene encodes a protein with an N-terminal region containing a Ras-GAP domain, a pleckstrin homology domain and a C2 domain, which may be involved in binding calcium and phospholipids. The C-terminal region contains a ten-histidine repeat, serine and tyrosine phosphorylation sites, and a T/SXV motif required for interaction with postsynaptic scaffold proteins. Alternative splicing gives rise to multiple transcript variants. HGNC places the gene in the C2 and RasGAP domain containing group. Orthologues exist in mouse and rat, both named Syngap1.
Researchers study the SYNGAP1 gene because allelic variants are associated with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. UniProt also notes that the protein may be involved in certain forms of brain injury that lead to long-term learning and memory deficits. The gene was previously named synaptic Ras GTPase activating protein 1 homolog (rat), and is also listed under the symbols SYNGAP, RASA5 and KIAA1938.
SYNGAP1 regulates AMPAR trafficking and NMDAR-dependent control of AMPAR potentiation, making it central to studies of synaptic plasticity.
As a major constituent of the PSD, SYNGAP1 is essential for postsynaptic signalling and interacts with scaffold proteins via its T/SXV motif.
Allelic variants of SYNGAP1 are associated with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, so the gene is widely examined in these conditions.
SYNGAP1 shows dual GTPase-activating specificity for Ras and Rap and inhibits the Ras-cAMP pathway, supporting work on small GTPase regulation in neurons.
SYNGAP1 is a Ras/Rap GTPase-activating protein in the postsynaptic density. It belongs to the NMDAR signalling complex, negatively regulates Ras, Rap and AMPA receptor trafficking to the postsynaptic membrane, and so helps control synaptic plasticity and neuronal homeostasis.
SYNGAP1 is also known as SYNGAP, RASA5 and KIAA1938, and its protein name in UniProt is Ras/Rap GTPase-activating protein SynGAP. Alternative splicing produces multiple transcript variants. The earlier HGNC name was synaptic Ras GTPase activating protein 1 homolog (rat).
Mouse and rat both carry a Syngap1 orthologue, so rodent models are commonly used. In humans, allelic variants of SYNGAP1 are associated with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Postsynaptic scaffold proteins, glutamate receptors and small GTPases connected to SYNGAP1 signalling.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q96PV0; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.