guanine nucleotide exchange factors

Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) are proteins that activate specific cellular proteins called small GTPases. GTPases act like molecular switches, toggling between an inactive form (bound to GDP) and an active form (bound to GTP). GEFs facilitate this process by promoting the exchange of GDP for GTP, effectively "switching on" the GTPase. This activation allows GTPases to carry out critical roles in cell signaling, movement, and growth. Essentially, GEFs regulate when and how these molecular switches turn on, ensuring proper cell functions and responses.