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Control of adhesion and protrusion in cell migration by Rho GTPases

Harry Warner1, Beverley J Wilson1, Patrick T Caswell1

  • 1Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|October 7, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Rho GTPases are key regulators of cell migration, controlling cellular protrusions and adhesions. This review updates their roles in physiological and pathological processes like immune function and cancer metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cell migration is vital for immunity and cancer metastasis.
  • Rho GTPases are essential regulators of cell migration.
  • These GTPases function as molecular switches controlling cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated overview of Rho GTPase functions in cell migration.
  • To highlight their roles in coordinating protrusion and adhesion formation.
  • To describe the complex signaling networks controlling Rho GTPase activity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways regulating Rho GTPase activity.
  • Focus on the coordination of cellular protrusions and adhesions.

Main Results:

  • Rho GTPases are central to force generation in cell migration.
  • They orchestrate the formation of cellular protrusions and adhesions.
  • Complex signaling networks precisely control Rho GTPase activity.

Conclusions:

  • Rho GTPases are critical for diverse physiological and pathological cell migration.
  • Understanding Rho GTPase regulation is key to targeting diseases like cancer.
  • Further research into signaling networks will reveal new therapeutic strategies.

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