vav-1 encodes a Rho/Rac-family guanine nucleotide exchange factor orthologous to the Vav proto-oncogene; VAV-1 is a complex protein with several domains, from N- to C-terminus: a calponin-like actin-binding domain; a RhoGEF/DH domain; a pleckstrin-like domain; a SH2 motif domain; and an SH3 domain; in C. elegans vav-1 is an essential gene and functions to regulate the concentration of intracellular calcium and thus, plays a key role in regulating rhythmic behaviors such as pharyngeal pumping, ovulation, and defecation; in addition, vav-1 has been shown to be a target of the mir-61 miRNA in the secondary vulval precursor cells, where it functions to negatively regulate LIN-12 activity; VAV-1::GFP reporters are expressed in the pharynx, the contractile sheath cells of the gonad, the four posterior-most intestinal cells, and the three rectal epithelial cells; VAV-1::GFP is also seen in the distal gonad, body wall muscle, and in the vulval precursor cells and their descendants.
Predicted to enable guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity. Involved in several processes, including negative regulation of Notch signaling pathway; positive regulation of nematode male tail tip morphogenesis; and regulation of vulval development. Predicted to be located in cytoplasm. Expressed in several structures, including gonad; intestinal cell; neurons; pharyngeal cell; and tail hypodermis. Is an ortholog of human VAV1 (vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1); VAV2 (vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2); and VAV3 (vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 3).
Map position created from combination of previous interpolated map position (based on known location of sequence) and allele information. Therefore this is not a genetic map position based on recombination frequencies or genetic experiments. This was done on advice of the CGC.