RHEB2 adenovirus

The RHEB2 gene, also known as Ras homolog enriched in brain 2, encodes a small GTP-binding protein belonging to the Ras superfamily. This protein plays a key role in regulating cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism, primarily through the mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) signaling pathway. RHEB2 shares high homology with another well-characterized GTPase, RHEB1, and both are essential for activating mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1), a key regulator of protein synthesis and autophagy. RHEB2 dysregulation is associated with a variety of pathological conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders. Due to its central role in mTOR signaling, RHEB2 is considered a potential therapeutic target for regulating abnormal cellular processes.

The RHEB2 adenovirus is a recombinant viral vector designed to deliver the RHEB2 gene to target cells for research or therapeutic purposes. Adenoviruses are widely used in gene therapy due to their high transduction efficiency, ability to infect both dividing and non-dividing cells, and relatively large loading capacity for foreign DNA. RHEB2 adenoviruses are typically constructed by inserting the RHEB2 coding sequence into a replication-defective adenoviral backbone, ensuring safety by preventing viral replication in host cells. This vector enables stable transient overexpression of RHEB2, allowing researchers to study its effects on mTOR signaling, cell growth, and related pathways in vitro or in vivo.