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Updated: May 26, 2026

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: November 11, 2018
Posttranslational lipid modification of Rho family small GTPases
Natalia Mitin1, Patrick J Roberts, Emily J Chenette
1Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. natalia_mitin@med.unc.edu
Abstract:
The Rho family comprises a major branch of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases. A majority of Rho GTPases are synthesized as inactive, cytosolic proteins. They then undergo posttranslational modification by isoprenoid or fatty acid lipids, and together with additional carboxyl-terminal sequences target Rho GTPases to specific membrane and subcellular compartments essential for function. We summarize the use of biochemical and cellular assays and pharmacologic inhibitors instrumental for the study of the role of posttranslational lipid modifications and processing in Rho GTPase biology.
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