P46940

IQGAP1 also known as IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 is a member of the IQGAP family. IQGAP1 is an actin-binding protein associated with the cytoskeleton, which is essential for maintaining cell shape and facilitating motility and polarity. Predominantly located at the plasma membrane and cytoskeletal structures, IQGAP1 plays a central role in cellular signaling by interacting with small GTPases, including Cdc42 and Rac1, to regulate the organization of actin filaments. This positioning is crucial as IQGAP1 mediates key processes in cell adhesion, migration, and morphology, making IQGAP1 indispensable in tissues like the lung, placenta, and kidney. Additionally, IQGAP1 modulates cell-cell adhesion by binding to components of the cadherin complex, including E-cadherin, β-catenin, and α-catenin, to stabilize cell junctions. Calmodulin, binding in a calcium-dependent manner, regulates IQGAP1′s activity by preventing association with Cdc42, thus providing dynamic control over cell structure.