Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: November 11, 2018
Rho GTPases and exocytosis: what are the molecular links?
Stéphane Ory1, Stéphane Gasman
1CNRS UPR 3212, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France. ory@inci-cnrs.unistra.fr
Abstract:
Delivery of proteins or lipids to the plasma membrane or into the extracellular space occurs through exocytosis, a process that requires tethering, docking, priming and fusion of vesicles, as well as F-actin rearrangements in response to specific extracellular cues. GTPases of the Rho family have been implicated as important regulators of exocytosis, but how Rho proteins control this process is an open question. In this review, we focus on molecular connections that drive Rho-dependent exocytosis in polarized and regulated exocytosis. Specifically, we present data showing that Rho proteins interaction with the exocyst complex and IQGAP mediates polarized exocytosis, whereas interaction with actin-binding proteins like N-WASP mediates regulated exocytosis.
Related Concept Videos
Small GTPases - Ras and Rho
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
Rab Cascades
GTPases and their Regulation
Large G-proteins, also known...
GTPases and their Regulation
Large G-proteins, also known...
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
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...

