In the context of cancer, the regulation of GTPases by GAPs is particularly important. Dysregulation of GTPase activity can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, a hallmark of cancer. Mutations or aberrant expression of GAPs can disrupt normal cellular signaling pathways, contributing to tumorigenesis. For example, mutations in NF1, a known GAP for Ras, can lead to neurofibromatosis type 1, which is associated with an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer.
