Rho GTPases and the actin cytoskeleton

A Hall1

  • 1Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, Cancer Research Campaign Oncogene and Signal Transduction Group, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. alan.hall@ucl.ac.uk

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 7, 1998
PubMed
Summary

This study explores how Rho GTPases control the actin cytoskeleton, which is vital for cell shape, movement, and division. Rho GTPases are small proteins that interact with other proteins to regulate actin organization. These interactions also influence gene transcription and adhesion. The authors review current evidence to show that Rho GTPases are central to coordinating multiple cellular functions. They suggest that these proteins may serve as signaling hubs within cells. Understanding Rho GTPase functions could provide insights into diseases involving cytoskeletal dysfunction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Concept Videos

GTPases and their Regulation02:14

GTPases and their Regulation

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), also known as GTPases, are a superfamily of proteins that regulate many cellular processes, such as cell signaling, vesicular transport, and the regulation of cell shape and motility. Mutation or dysfunction of these proteins can lead to disease. There are around 40,000 known G-proteins that can broadly be classified into two groups ‒  small G-proteins consisting of a single domain and large multi-domain G-proteins.
Large G-proteins, also known...
Rab Proteins01:14

Rab Proteins

Rab proteins constitute the largest family of monomeric GTPases, of which 70 members are present in humans. Rab proteins and their effectors regulate consecutive stages of vesicle transport such as vesicle transport, docking, and fusion to the correct recipient membrane.
Rab proteins switch between a cytosolic, GDP-bound inactive state and a membrane-anchored, GTP-bound active state. By themselves, Rabs show slow rates of GDP/GTP exchange and GTP hydrolysis. Thus, Rab proteins are considered...
GTPases and their Regulation02:14

GTPases and their Regulation

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), also known as GTPases, are a superfamily of proteins that regulate many cellular processes, such as cell signaling, vesicular transport, and the regulation of cell shape and motility. Mutation or dysfunction of these proteins can lead to disease. There are around 40,000 known G-proteins that can broadly be classified into two groups ‒  small G-proteins consisting of a single domain and large multi-domain G-proteins.
Large G-proteins, also known...