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Related Concept Videos

GTPases and their Regulation02:14

GTPases and their Regulation

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), also known as GTPases, are a superfamily of proteins that regulate many cellular processes, such as cell signaling, vesicular transport, and the regulation of cell shape and motility. Mutation or dysfunction of these proteins can lead to disease. There are around 40,000 known G-proteins that can broadly be classified into two groups ‒  small G-proteins consisting of a single domain and large multi-domain G-proteins.
Large G-proteins, also known...
GTPases and their Regulation02:14

GTPases and their Regulation

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), also known as GTPases, are a superfamily of proteins that regulate many cellular processes, such as cell signaling, vesicular transport, and the regulation of cell shape and motility. Mutation or dysfunction of these proteins can lead to disease. There are around 40,000 known G-proteins that can broadly be classified into two groups ‒  small G-proteins consisting of a single domain and large multi-domain G-proteins.
Large G-proteins, also known...
Small GTPases - Ras and Rho01:24

Small GTPases - Ras and Rho

Ras and Rho are small monomeric GTPases that act downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and regulate various cellular processes. These GTPases switch between active and inactive states by binding to guanine nucleotides.
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
Coat Assembly and GTPases01:33

Coat Assembly and GTPases

Vesicles incorporate different coat protein subunits in different cell locations, which changes the properties of the coat, such as the shape and geometry of the transport vesicles. Thus, vesicle coat proteins also play a significant role in cargo selection.
Coat assembly depends on the local availability of phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs and GTP-binding proteins. Adaptor proteins, which link the coat proteins to the membrane, bind to these PIPs and play a crucial role in controlling...
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins01:22

Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. As the name suggests, heterotrimeric G proteins are composed of three subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. They remain GDP-bound or GTP-bound inside the cells and switch between inactive/active states. The Gα subunit possesses the nucleotide-binding pocket that binds guanine nucleotides and switches between GDP or GTP-bound states. In contrast, the Gꞵ and Gγ subunits are always bound together with high affinity and are together...
Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay
13:51

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Published on: November 11, 2018

Small GTPases and cilia.

Yujie Li1, Jinghua Hu

  • 1Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Protein & Cell
|February 22, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Small GTPases regulate cellular processes and are crucial for cilia formation and function. Their dysfunction is linked to human diseases called ciliopathies, highlighting their therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Small GTPases act as molecular switches in cellular processes.
  • The primary cilium, once overlooked, is vital for sensing extracellular signals.
  • Cilia dysfunction causes human diseases known as ciliopathies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the function of small GTPases in cilia formation and function.
  • To explore the link between small GTPase impairment and ciliopathies.
  • To highlight the potential of small GTPases as therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent advances.
  • Analysis of the role of Arf/Arl, Rab, and Ran subfamilies in cilia.
  • Correlation of small GTPase function with ciliopathies.

More Related Videos

Analyzing the Function of Small GTPases by Microinjection of Plasmids into Polarized Epithelial Cells
09:38

Analyzing the Function of Small GTPases by Microinjection of Plasmids into Polarized Epithelial Cells

Published on: May 31, 2011

Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays
10:37

Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays

Published on: October 8, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay
13:51

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Published on: November 11, 2018

Analyzing the Function of Small GTPases by Microinjection of Plasmids into Polarized Epithelial Cells
09:38

Analyzing the Function of Small GTPases by Microinjection of Plasmids into Polarized Epithelial Cells

Published on: May 31, 2011

Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays
10:37

Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays

Published on: October 8, 2015

Main Results:

  • Small GTPases are integral to cilia development and function.
  • Specific small GTPase subfamilies (Arf/Arl, Rab, Ran) are involved.
  • Impairment of these GTPases is associated with ciliopathies.

Conclusions:

  • Small GTPases are critical for normal cilia function.
  • Understanding their role provides insights into ciliopathies.
  • Targeting small GTPases may offer therapeutic strategies for ciliopathies.