About GIMAP / GTPase IMAP Family:
GTPase is an enzyme that belongs to the immunity-associated protein family (GIMAPs). GIMAPs are a family of proteins responsible for regulating gene expression in most cell types - including the ones of the immune system. In particular, GTPase has been recently discovered, and they are yet uncategorized.
GIMAPs have been seen to be related with several:
●Immunological functions, including apoptosis of peripheral lymphocytes and T helper cell differentiation
●Immunological diseases such as T cell lymphopenia, autoimmune diseases, and leukemia
Following studies in rats, the GIMAPs are now being tested in experimental models that aim at discovering more treatments for several human pathologies, including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
GIMAP Function
Currently, the functions and responsibilities at the cellular and molecular level of these proteins are not fully understood. However, studies published in the European Journal of Immunology have started to show the correlation between proteins that are part of the GIMAP family, including GIMAP3 and GIMAP5. The overlapping of these two members might have consequences on their potential functions in regulating T cells. T cells are crucial components of the immune system, focusing in particular on foreign particles.
GTPase IMAP Family Mechanism
Instead of attacking random antigens, T cells are able to move across the system until they find the specific antigen, they are responsible for attacking. In turn, T cells play an essential role in granting a body immunity against foreign particles. Small GTPase is responsible for the growth, differentiation, and migration of T cells, as well as for lipid vesicle trafficking. Because of these roles, the members of the GIMAPs family play an essential role in immunization.