ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) GTP-binding proteins are members of the Ras superfamily of GTPases, with well-established functions in membrane-trafficking pathways.
The best-characterized Arl protein, Arl2, regulates the folding of beta tubulin, and recent data suggest that Arl1 and Arf-related protein 1 (ARFRP1) are localized to the trans-Golgi network (TGN), where they function, in part, to regulate the tethering of endosome-derived transport vesicles.
Other Arl proteins are localized to the cytosol, nucleus, cytoskeleton and mitochondria, which indicates that Arl proteins have diverse roles that are distinct from the known functions of traditional Arf GTPases.
See also
ARF
References
Burd CG, Strochlic TI, Gangi Setty SR. Arf-like GTPases: not so Arf-like after all. Trends Cell Biol. 2004 Dec;14(12):687-94. PMID: 15564045
