InterPro domain: IPR044612

This entry represents a group of Arf-like small GTP-binding proteins, including ARL2/3 from animals, Cin4 from budding yeasts, Alp41 from fission yeasts and ARL2 from Arabidopsis. They are involved in microtubule-dependent processes [ 1 ]. Despite the structural similarity of ARL2 and ARL3, they have different biochemical properties and biological functions [ 2 ]. ARL2 plays roles in both the regulation of tubulin folding and microtubule destruction. It is also essential to a number of mitochondrial functions, including mitochondrial morphology, motility, and maintenance of ATP levels [ 3 ]. ARL3 is required for normal cytokinesis and cilia signaling [ 4 ]. Alp41 is essential for the cofactor-dependent biogenesis of microtubules [ 5 ].

1. Specificity of Arl2/Arl3 signaling is mediated by a ternary Arl3-effector-GAP complex. FEBS Lett. 582, 2501-7
2. Sorting of lipidated cargo by the Arl2/Arl3 system. Small GTPases 7, 222-230
3. The ARL2 GTPase is required for mitochondrial morphology, motility, and maintenance of ATP levels. PLoS One 9, e99270
4. An ARL3-UNC119-RP2 GTPase cycle targets myristoylated NPHP3 to the primary cilium. Genes Dev. 25, 2347-60
5. A conserved small GTP-binding protein Alp41 is essential for the cofactor-dependent biogenesis of microtubules in fission yeast. FEBS Lett 468, 84-8