Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay
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Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Published on: November 11, 2018

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RHO GTPase family in hepatocellular carcinoma

Tiantian Wang1, Dean Rao1, Chengpeng Yu1

  • 1Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Clinical Medicine Research Center for Hepatic Surgery of Hubei Province, Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.

Experimental Hematology & Oncology
|November 9, 2022
PubMed

Insights

RHO GTPases are key regulators of cell functions and are implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. This review details their role in HCC metastasis and discusses targeted inhibitors for potential therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • RHO GTPases, a conserved protein subfamily, regulate critical cellular processes like actin cytoskeleton organization, proliferation, and vesicular transport.
  • Emerging evidence links RHO GTPase activity to cancer development, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of RHO GTPase classification, structure, regulation, and function.
  • To elucidate the specific roles of RHO GTPases in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis.
  • To review current inhibitors targeting RHO GTPases and identify future research directions for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on RHO GTPases.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on RHO GTPase involvement in HCC pathogenesis.
  • Compilation and evaluation of data on RHO GTPase inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • RHO GTPases are crucial for cellular functions and play a significant role in HCC tumorigenesis and progression.
  • Specific RHO GTPase pathways are implicated in the migration, invasion, and metastasis of HCC cells.
  • Various inhibitors targeting RHO GTPases have been developed, with ongoing efforts to improve their potency.

Conclusions:

  • RHO GTPases are critical effectors in HCC development and metastasis.
  • Targeting RHO GTPases presents a promising therapeutic avenue for HCC treatment.
  • Further research is needed to optimize RHO GTPase inhibitors for clinical application in HCC.
Keywords:
CDC42CancerHepatocellular carcinomaRAC1RHO GTPasesRHOA

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