Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

RhoC GTPase Activation Assay
Published on: August 22, 2010
Cdc42-MRCK and Rho-ROCK signalling cooperate in myosin phosphorylation and cell invasion
Simon Wilkinson1, Hugh F Paterson, Christopher J Marshall
1Cancer Research UK Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK.
Abstract:
Actomyosin contractility is a mechanism by which cells exert locomotory force against their environment. Signalling downstream of the small GTPase Rho increases contractility through Rho-kinase (ROCK)-mediated regulation of myosin-II light chain (MLC2) phosphorylation. Cdc42 signalling has been shown to control cell polarity. Tumour cells can move through a three-dimensional matrix with either a rounded morphology characterized by Rho-ROCK dependence or with an elongated morphology characterized by Rho-ROCK independence. Here we show that contractility necessary for elongated morphology and invasion can be generated by Cdc42-MRCK signalling. MRCK (myotonic dystrophy kinase-related Cdc42-binding kinase) cooperates with ROCK in the maintenance of elongated morphology and invasion and either MRCK or ROCK is sufficient for MLC2 phosphorylation, through the inhibitory phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase. By contrast, in rounded ROCK-dependent movement, where MLC2 phosphorylation is higher, MRCK has a smaller role. Our data show that a Cdc42-MRCK signal mediates myosin-dependent cell motility and highlight convergence between Rho and Cdc42 signalling.
More Related Videos
12:35Optogenetic Inhibition of Rho1-Mediated Actomyosin Contractility Coupled with Measurement of Epithelial Tension in Drosophila Embryos
Published on: April 14, 2023
07:15A Cell-based Assay to Investigate Non-muscle Myosin II Contractility via the Folded-gastrulation Signaling Pathway in Drosophila S2R+ Cells
Published on: August 19, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins
Small GTPases - Ras and Rho
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
Cell Motility through Blebbing
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...
MAPK Signaling Cascades
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...