Rho GTPases in cell biology.
Rho GTPases are molecular switches that control a wide variety of signal transduction pathways in all eukaryotic cells. They are known principally for their pivotal role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton, but their ability to influence cell polarity, microtubule dynamics, membrane transport pathways and transcription factor activity is probably just as significant. Underlying this biological complexity is a simple biochemical idea, namely that by switching on a single GTPase, several distinct signalling pathways can be coordinately activated. With spatial and temporal activation of multiple switches factored in, it is not surprising to find Rho GTPases having such a prominent role in eukaryotic cell biology.
Etienne-Manneville
Sandrine
S
MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology and Cell Biology Unit, Cancer Research UK Oncogene and Signal Transduction Group, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Hall
Alan
A
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement; D016764:Cell Polarity; D048429:Cell Size; D002477:Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010587:Phagocytosis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins