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Updated: May 21, 2026
09:58
RhoC GTPase Activation Assay
Published on: August 22, 2010
Cyclin A2, Rho GTPases and EMT
Nawal Bendris1, Nikola Arsic, Bénédicte Lemmers
1UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Small Gtpases
|June 28, 2012
Summary
Cyclin A2, a cell cycle regulator, plays a key role in preventing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process crucial for cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cyclins, cell cycle regulators, are typically upregulated in proliferative disorders.
- Cyclin A2 is often considered a marker of aggressive cancers.
- Recent findings indicate decreased Cyclin A2 expression during colorectal cancer metastasis, suggesting a complex role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Cyclin A2 in cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
- To explore the relationship between Cyclin A2, Rho GTPases, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Cyclin A2 expression in metastatic colorectal cancer.
- Investigation of Cyclin A2's role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton and cell invasion via RhoA.
- Assessment of Cyclin A2's influence on spindle orientation and cell polarity.
- Examination of Rho GTPase activity (RhoA, RhoC, Cdc42, Rac1) during EMT.
Main Results:
- Cyclin A2 regulates actin cytoskeleton and cell invasion through RhoA.
- Misoriented spindle orientation regulated by Cyclin A2 can promote cancer cell detachment and EMT.
- An inverse relationship between RhoA and RhoC activity was observed in epithelial cells.
- Increased activity of Rho GTPases like Cdc42, Rac1, and RhoC correlates with enhanced invasive potential.
Conclusions:
- Cyclin A2's function in maintaining cell polarity and regulating Rho GTPase activity suggests a role in suppressing EMT.
- These findings propose Cyclin A2 as a potential tumor suppressor in epithelial cancers, counteracting invasion and metastasis.
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