Dock11 exhibits the same domain arrangement as other members of the DOCK-D/Zizimin subfamily and shares the highest level of sequence identity with Dock9.[7] It contains a DHR2 domain which mediates GEF activity and a DHR1 domain which may interact with membranephospholipids. It also contains an N-terminalPH domain which may be involved in its recruitment to the plasma membrane. Dock11 binds and activates nucleotide-free Cdc42 via its DHR2 domain[7] and has also been reported to mediate positive feedback on active, GTP-bound Cdc42,[9] although this interaction required a small N-terminal region of Dock11 in addition to the DHR2 domain. Cdc42 in turn regulates signaling pathways that control diverse cellular functions including morphology, migration, endocytosis and cell cycle progression.[10] Gene expression studies have suggested that Dock11 may have a role in the development of pituitary and testicular tumours.[8][11]
Hemizygous DOCK11 mutations in humans are associated with early-onset and severe autoimmunity.[12] In eight male patients, from seven unrelated pedigrees, with hemizygous DOCK11 missense variants, a reduction in DOCK11 expression was observed. The patients presented with early-onset autoimmunity, including cytopenia, systemic lupus erythematosus, skin, and digestive manifestations. Platelets and lymphocytes exhibited abnormal ultrastructural morphology and spreading as well as impaired CDC42 activity. The patients' cells exhibited aberrant protrusions and abnormal migration speed in confined channels concomitant with altered actin polymerization during migration. A DOCK11 knock-down in monocytes-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) and in T cells from healthy controls, recapitulated these abnormal cellular phenotypes. Abnormal regulatory T cells (Tregs) phenotype with profoundly reduced FOXP3 and IKZF2 expression was also observed, consistent with the autoimmune features developed by the DOCK11-deficient patients. Moreover, the authors observed a reduced T cell proliferation and an impaired STAT5B phosphorylation upon IL2 stimulation of the patients' lymphocytes. DOCK11 deficiency is therefore a new X-linked immune-related actinopathy leading to abnormal actin cytoskeleton remodeling, impaired CDC42 activity and STAT5 activation, and associated with early-onset autoimmunity.[12]
^ abBoussard C, Delage L, Gajardo T, Kauskot A, Batignes M, Goudin N, et al. (March 2023). "DOCK11 deficiency in patients with X-linked actinopathy and autoimmunity". Blood. 141 (22): 2713–2726. doi:10.1182/blood.2022018486. PMID36952639. S2CID257716324.
Côté JF, Vuori K (2006). "In Vitro Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Activity of DHR-2/DOCKER/CZH2 Domains". Regulators and Effectors of Small GTPases: Rho Family. Methods in Enzymology. Vol. 406. pp. 41–57. doi:10.1016/S0076-6879(06)06004-6. ISBN9780121828110. PMID16472648.
Meller N, Merlot S, Guda C (November 2005). "CZH proteins: a new family of Rho-GEFs". Journal of Cell Science. 118 (Pt 21): 4937–46. doi:10.1242/jcs.02671. PMID16254241. S2CID3075895.
Yelo E, Bernardo MV, Gimeno L, Alcaraz-García MJ, Majado MJ, Parrado A (July 2008). "Dock10, a novel CZH protein selectively induced by interleukin-4 in human B lymphocytes". Molecular Immunology. 45 (12): 3411–8. doi:10.1016/j.molimm.2008.04.003. PMID18499258.
