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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

RhoC GTPase Activation Assay
Published on: August 23, 2010
Differing modes of tumour cell invasion have distinct requirements for Rho/ROCK signalling and extracellular
Erik Sahai1, Christopher J Marshall
1Cancer Research UK Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JB, UK.
Abstract:
Rho family GTPases regulate the cytoskeleton and cell migration and are frequently overexpressed in tumours. Here, we identify two modes of tumour-cell motility in 3D matrices that involve different usage of Rho signalling. Rho signalling through ROCK promotes a rounded bleb-associated mode of motility that does not require pericellular proteolysis. This form of motility requires ezrin, which is localized in the direction of cell movement. In contrast, elongated cell motility is associated with Rac-dependent F-actin-rich protrusions and does not require Rho, ROCK or ezrin function. Combined blockade of extracellular proteases and ROCK negates the ability of tumour cells to switch between modes of motility and synergises to prevent tumour cell invasion.
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