Rap1 in the Context of PCSK9, Atherosclerosis, and Diabetes

Purpose of review: The focus of this article is to highlight the importance of the small GTPase, Ras-associated protein 1 (Rap1), in proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulation and atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes etiology and discuss the potential therapeutic implications of targeting Rap1 in these disease areas.

Review findings: Cardiometabolic disease characterized by obesity, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remain an important cause of mortality. Evidence using mouse models of obesity and insulin resistance indicates that Rap1 deficiency increases proatherogenic PCSK9 and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and predisposes these mice to develop obesity- and statin-induced hyperglycemia, which highlights Rap1's role in cardiometabolic dysfunction. Rap1 may also contribute to cardiovascular disease through its effects on vascular wall cells involved in the atherosclerosis progression. Rap1 activation, specifically in the liver, could be beneficial in the prevention of cardiometabolic perturbations, including type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and atherosclerosis.