38646, a novel guanine nucleotide exchange factor and uses therefor

The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated 38646 nucleic acid molecules, which encode a novel guanine-nucleotide exchange factor. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing 38646 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and non-human transgenic animals in which a 38646 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated 38646 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-38646 antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided. 38646 expression and activity can be modulated to affect cell shape, motility, cytoskeleton organization, and intracellular protein and vesicle localization or to affect the tensile strength or integrity of a tissue.