Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: November 11, 2018
Regulation of innate immunity by Rho GTPases
1Department of Immunology and Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. bokoch@scripps.edu
Abstract:
Leukocytes are key cellular components of innate immunity. These phagocytic cells respond to bacteria at sites of infection through chemotactic sensing and directed motility regulated by Rho GTPases. The development of sensitive probes of Rho GTPase dynamics has provided insights into the temporal and spatial aspects of GTPase regulation during chemotaxis and subsequent microbial phagocytosis. The resulting destruction of ingested bacteria by means of reactive oxygen species (ROS) depends on a Rac-regulated "molecular switch" that is modulated by antagonistic crosstalk involving Cdc42. Recent studies of leukocytes derived from Rac1- and Rac2-knockout mice have shown that these highly homologous GTPases have unique biological roles. An understanding of the biochemical basis for such distinct activities should provide novel insights into the molecular details of Rho GTPase function and regulation in innate immunity.
Related Concept Videos
Small GTPases - Ras and Rho
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
GTPases and their Regulation
Large G-proteins, also known...
GTPases and their Regulation
Large G-proteins, also known...
The Ras Gene
Ras is a superfamily...
Rab Proteins
Rab proteins switch between a cytosolic, GDP-bound inactive state and a membrane-anchored, GTP-bound active state. By themselves, Rabs show slow rates of GDP/GTP exchange and GTP hydrolysis. Thus, Rab proteins are considered...

