title: Rho, nuclear actin, and actin-binding proteins in the regulation of transcription and gene expression.
abstract: Actin cytoskeleton is one of the main targets of Rho GTPases, which act as molecular switches on many signaling pathways. During the past decade, actin has emerged as an important regulator of gene expression. Nuclear actin plays a key role in transcription, chromatin remodeling, and pre-mRNA processing. In addition, the "status" of the actin cytoskeleton is used as a signaling intermediate by at least the MKL1-SRF and Hippo-pathways, which culminate in the transcriptional regulation of cytoskeletal and growth-promoting genes, respectively. Rho GTPases may therefore regulate gene expression by controlling either cytoplasmic or nuclear actin dynamics. Although the regulation of nuclear actin polymerization is still poorly understood, many actin-binding proteins, which are downstream effectors of Rho, are found in the nuclear compartment. In this review, we discuss the possible mechanisms and key proteins that may mediate the transcriptional regulation by Rho GTPases through actin.
authors.affiliation: Program in Cell and Molecular Biology; Institute of Biotechnology; University of Helsinki; Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Eeva Kaisa
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Rajakylä
authors.affiliation: Program in Cell and Molecular Biology; Institute of Biotechnology; University of Helsinki; Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Maria K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Vartiainen
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton; D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D000090683:Hippo Signaling Pathway; D006801:Humans; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins
keywords: Hippo; MKL1; Rho GTPase; SRF; actin; nucleus