SOS1

Son of sevenless homolog 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SOS1 gene.

== Function == SOS1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) which interacts with Ras proteins to phosphorylate GDP into GTP, or from an inactive state to an active state to signal cell proliferation. RAS genes (e.g., MIM 190020) encode membrane-bound guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that function in the transduction of signals that control cell growth and differentiation. Binding of GTP activates RAS proteins, and subsequent hydrolysis of the bound GTP to GDP and phosphate inactivates signaling by these proteins. GTP binding can be catalyzed by guanine nucleotide exchange factors for RAS, and GTP hydrolysis can be accelerated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). The first exchange factor to be identified for RAS was the S. cerevisiae Cdc25 gene product (not to be confused with the S. pombe Cdc25). Genetic analysis indicated that CDC25 is essential for activation of RAS proteins. In Drosophila, the protein encoded by the 'son of sevenless' gene (Sos) contains a domain that shows sequence similarity with the catalytic domain of Cdc25. Sos may act as a positive regulator of RAS by promoting guanine nucleotide exchange.