ARF3, also known as ADP-ribosylation factor 3, belongs to the RAS superfamily. Members of this family include ARF1, ARF2, ARF3, ARF4, ARF5 and ARF6. ARF3 gene is a member of the human ARF gene family. These genes encode small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that stimulate the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of cholera toxin and play a role in vesicular trafficking and as activators of phospholipase D. ARF3 functions as an allosteric activator of the cholera toxin subunit, an ADP-ribosyltransferase. It is involved in protein trafficking and may modulate vesicle budding and uncoating within the Golgi apparatus.
