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Small GTPases - Ras and Rho

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Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Spatio-Temporal Manipulation of Small GTPase Activity at Subcellular Level and on Timescale of Seconds in Living Cells

Spatio-Temporal Manipulation of Small GTPase Activity at Subcellular Level and on Timescale of Seconds in Living Cells

Published on: March 9, 2012

Spatial and temporal control of Rho GTPase functions.

Konstadinos Moissoglu¹, Martin Alexander Schwartz²

¹Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology; Center for Cancer Research; National Cancer Institute; National Institutes of Health ; Bethesda, MD USA.

Cellular Logistics

|January 23, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Understanding Rho GTPase nano-scale dynamics is key. Research explores their spatial and temporal regulation across cellular compartments to uncover cellular function control mechanisms.

Keywords:

GAPs (GTPase activating proteins)GEFs (guanine nucleotide exchange factors)Rac Rho GTPases RhoGDI (Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor)S-palmitoylation diffusion domain boundaries effectors lipid rafts prenylation supported bilayers

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Spatio-Temporal Manipulation of Small GTPase Activity at Subcellular Level and on Timescale of Seconds in Living Cells

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Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays

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Published on: October 8, 2015

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Rho family GTPases are crucial regulators of cellular physiology.
Their complex regulation involves multiple compartments, regulators, and effectors.
Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the spatial and temporal control of Rho GTPase activity.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the nano-scale dynamics of Rho GTPase activation, membrane targeting, diffusion, effector engagement, and inactivation.
To elucidate how these dynamic processes vary across different cellular compartments.
To advance the understanding of spatial and temporal regulation in cellular functions controlled by Rho GTPases.

Main Methods:

Advanced microscopy techniques (e.g., super-resolution microscopy).
Biochemical assays for GTPase activity and binding.
Cellular compartment isolation and analysis.
Computational modeling of molecular dynamics.

Main Results:

Detailed characterization of Rho GTPase nano-scale dynamics in distinct cellular locations.
Identification of compartment-specific regulatory mechanisms.
Quantitative data on the kinetics of activation, localization, and inactivation.

Conclusions:

Rho GTPase function is intricately controlled by spatial and temporal dynamics within cellular compartments.
Understanding these nano-scale mechanisms is essential for deciphering cellular physiology.
This research provides a foundation for future studies on Rho GTPase-mediated signaling pathways and diseases.