InterPro domain: IPR045058

This entry includes two subfamilies of the TRAFAC (translation factor related) class AIG1/Toc34/Toc159-like paraseptin GTPase family.

The GTPases of immunity-associated protein (GIMAP)/immune-associated nucleotide-binding protein (IAN) subfamily is conserved among vertebrates and angiosperm plants and has been postulated to regulate apoptosis, particularly in context with diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and infections. The function of GIMAP/IAN GTPases has been linked to self defense in plants and to the development of T cells in vertebrates [ 1 , 2 ].

Plant-specific Toc (translocon at the outer envelope membrane of chloroplasts) proteins. Toc proteins function as integral components of the chloroplast protein import machinery. The Toc translocon contains the two membrane-bound GTPases Toc33/34 and Toc 159, which expose their G domains to the cytosol that recognise and then deliver precursor proteins through the translocation pore Toc75 [ 3 , 4 ].

1. Comparative analysis of the human gimap gene cluster encoding a novel GTPase family. Gene 341, 291-304
2. Structural basis of oligomerization in septin-like GTPase of immunity-associated protein 2 (GIMAP2). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 107, 20299-304
3. Dimerization is important for the GTPase activity of chloroplast translocon components atToc33 and psToc159. J. Biol. Chem. 282, 13845-53
4. The GTPase cycle of the chloroplast import receptors Toc33/Toc34: implications from monomeric and dimeric structures. Structure 16, 585-96