GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs)

GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) are molecules that regulate proteins called GTPases, which act like molecular switches inside cells. GTPases toggle between an active state (bound to GTP) and an inactive state (bound to GDP). GAPs help turn off GTPases by speeding up the process that removes GTP and replaces it with GDP, effectively halting the GTPase's activity. This regulation is crucial for controlling various cellular processes, such as cell growth, movement, and signaling, ensuring that these activities occur at the right time and place.