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Rit subfamily small GTPases: regulators in neuronal differentiation and survival

Geng-Xian Shi1, Weikang Cai, Douglas A Andres

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, BBSRB, 741S. Limestone St., Lexington, KY 40536-0509, USA.

Cellular Signalling
|June 18, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Ras-related GTPases, including the Rit subfamily, are crucial for cell signaling. Recent studies in animal models reveal their roles in neuronal development and survival, linking them to diseases like cancer and Parkinson's.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular biology
  • Cellular signaling
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Ras GTPases are key regulators of cellular signaling, essential for normal physiology.
  • Dysregulation of Ras-superfamily signaling pathways is implicated in various human diseases.
  • The physiological roles of many Ras-related GTPases, particularly the Rit subfamily, remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the physiological functions of the Rit subfamily of Ras-related GTPases.
  • To highlight recent findings from transgenic and knockout animal models.
  • To discuss the implications of Rit and Rin signaling in human diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized transgenic animal models.
  • Employed knockout animal models.
  • Reviewed recent genetic data and studies.

Main Results:

  • Rit subfamily GTPases play emerging roles in regulating neuronal morphology.
  • These GTPases are involved in cellular survival signaling pathways.
  • Genetic data implicates Rit and Rin signaling in cancer, Parkinson's disease, autism, and schizophrenia.

Conclusions:

  • The Rit subfamily of Ras GTPases has significant physiological roles.
  • Further research into Rit and Rin signaling may offer insights into disease mechanisms.
  • Animal models are crucial for understanding the functions of these GTPases in health and disease.
Keywords:
CACCICREBCRIBCaMCdc42/Rac interactive bindingDADATDNEGFERKEpacG protein coupled receptorGAPGEFGPCRGTPaseGTPase activating proteinHSP27IFNγJNKMAPKMAPK kinase (also MAP2K)MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2)MEFsMK2MKKMSK1/2NGFNeuronPACAP38PDPI3KPKAPKCPMAParkinson's diseaseRGL3ROSRTKRalGDS-like 3Ras GTPaseRas-related protein which interacted with calmodulinRicRic (Ras)-related gene expressed in neural tissuesRic (Ras)-related gene expressed throughout the organismRinRitSOSSignalingTBITNFαTrkAc-Jun N-terminal protein kinasecAMPcAMP response element binding proteincalmodulinconstitutively activecontrolled cortical impactcyclic adenosine monophosphatedominant negativedopaminedopamine transporterepidermal growth factorexchange protein directly activated by cAMPextracellular-signal regulated protein kinaseguanine nucleotide exchange factorguanosine triphosphataseheat shock protein 27interferon-γmitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase 1/2mitogen-activated protein kinasemouse embryonic fibroblastsnerve growth factorphorbol 12-myristate 13-acetatephosphatidylinositol 3-kinasepituitary adenylate cyclase activated polypeptide 38protein kinase Aprotein kinase Creactive oxygen speciesreceptor tyrosine kinaseson of sevenlesstraumatic brain injurytropomyosin receptor kinase Atumor necrosis factor α

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