VAV2
VAV2 (vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rho family of Ras-related GTPases and the second member of the VAV family of oncogenes. It plays an important role in angiogenesis and was formerly named the vav 2 oncogene. Browse Assay Genie's current range of VAV2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
VAV2 acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the Rho family of Ras-related GTPases, proteins that cycle between inactive and active states and regulate downstream signalling. A defined role for the VAV2 protein is in angiogenesis. Its recruitment by phosphorylated EPHA2 is critical for EFNA1-induced activation of the GTPase RAC1, and for the migration and assembly of vascular endothelial cells. This places VAV2 within ephrin receptor signalling in the vasculature.
The VAV2 gene is the second member of the VAV guanine nucleotide exchange factor family of oncogenes. Unlike VAV1, which is expressed exclusively in haematopoietic cells, VAV2 transcripts have been found in most tissues, so the protein is not restricted to the immune system. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been reported for the gene. The mouse ortholog is Vav2. HGNC classifies VAV2 in the Dbl family of Rho GEFs, and its gene groups also include proteins containing pleckstrin homology, SH2 and SH3 domains.
Earlier names for the gene include vav 2 oncogene and vav 2 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, reflecting its origin in the VAV oncogene family. Researchers studying Rho GTPase activation, endothelial cell behaviour and receptor-linked exchange factor signalling use VAV2 as a defined target, often alongside its relatives VAV1 and VAV3.
VAV2 plays an important role in angiogenesis, making it a relevant target for studies of how vascular structures form.
Recruitment of VAV2 is critical for vascular endothelial cell migration and assembly downstream of ephrin signalling.
As a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho family GTPases, VAV2 is used to examine GTPase activation, including RAC1.
Phosphorylated EPHA2 recruits VAV2 to drive EFNA1-induced RAC1 activation, linking the exchange factor to ephrin receptor signalling.
VAV2 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rho family of Ras-related GTPases. It plays an important role in angiogenesis. When phosphorylated EPHA2 recruits it, VAV2 is critical for EFNA1-induced RAC1 activation and for vascular endothelial cell migration and assembly.
All three belong to the VAV family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors. VAV1 is expressed exclusively in haematopoietic cells, whereas VAV2 transcripts are found in most tissues. Alternatively spliced VAV2 transcript variants encode different isoforms. VAV2 was previously called the vav 2 oncogene.
A mouse ortholog, Vav2, is recorded for the human gene. Because this ortholog exists, researchers often study VAV2 function in mouse systems. Cross-species work should rely on sequence comparison, and you should check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other VAV family exchange factors with research reagents at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P52735; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.