RNA-binding proteins mind the GAPs

Increased expression of the ubiquitin ligase TRAF6 in hematopoietic stem cells promotes activity of the GTP-binding protein Cdc42 and consequent diminished function of hematopoietic stem cells by ubiquitination of the RNA-binding protein hnRNP-A1, which leads to an inability to properly process pre-mRNA encoding Cdc42-inhibitory GTPase-activating proteins.