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Related Concept Videos

Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins01:21

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Cell polarity is the asymmetric distribution of cellular and membrane components, making one side of the cell different from the other. This polarity is essential to many processes such as embryogenesis, axon migration, glucose transport across epithelial cells, and directional cell migration. A migrating cell responds to intracellular or extracellular signals via molecular cascades that reorganize the actin cytoskeleton to establish this polarity. In these cells, the Rho family proteins Cdc42,...
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A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
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Ras and Rho are small monomeric GTPases that act downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and regulate various cellular processes. These GTPases switch between active and inactive states by binding to guanine nucleotides.
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Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
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Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
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Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays
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A Rho GTPase-effector ensemble governs cell migration behavior.

Heeyoung Lee1, Sangkyu Lee2, Yeji Seo3

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

Nature Communications
|November 1, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cells utilize intrinsic Rho GTPase-effector mechanisms for spontaneous migration. Formin-like protein (FMNL) establishes cell polarity, while Rac1-ROCK interactions drive directional changes and enhance environmental responses.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular mechanisms of cell migration

Background:

  • Cells navigate environments using internal machinery when external cues are absent.
  • Rho GTPases orchestrate cell motility, but intrinsic mechanisms for spontaneous migration are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To uncover intrinsic Rho GTPase-effector mechanisms governing spontaneous cell migration.
  • To develop an imaging-based method for profiling protein-protein interactions (PPIs) via phase-separated condensates.

Main Methods:

  • Developed an imaging-based assay to profile PPIs within phase-separated condensates.
  • Analyzed hundreds of interaction profiles between Rho small GTPases and their effectors.

Main Results:

  • Identified two intrinsic mechanisms controlling cell migration.
  • Formin-like protein (FMNL) restricts Cdc42 activity to establish front-rear polarity.
  • Rac1-ROCK interactions mediate arc stress fiber formation, enabling directional changes and enhancing external cue responses.

Conclusions:

  • Elucidated the Rho GTPase-effector ensemble's role in cell migration.
  • Revealed an intrinsic program for efficient cell motility strategies.