title: The Rho small GTPase: functions in health and disease.
abstract: Cell shape changes, contractility, adhesion, migration, gene transcription, cytokinesis, membrane trafficking, and growth, require Rho small GTPase function. The basis for this is that Rho regulates actin filament assembly, and serum response factor (SRF)-mediated gene transcription. Upon activation by serum or cell adhesion, Rho stimulates a distinct signal transduction pathway that induces cytoskeletal and transcriptional responses through diverse effectors. Rho activity is tightly controlled by guanine nucleotide exchange factors, GTPase activating proteins, and guanine dissociation inhibitors. Dysregulation of the Rho pathway is implicated in multiple pathological conditions including cancer and metastasis, cardiovascular disease, bacterial and viral pathogenesis, hepatic disease, and developmental disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Toksoz
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Merdek
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002455:Cell Division; D002462:Cell Membrane; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009218:Myosins / Q000378:metabolism; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D009218:Myosins; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins