title: Tools for live imaging of active Rho GTPases in Xenopus.
abstract: Rho family GTPases are signaling molecules that orchestrate cytoskeletal dynamics in a variety of cellular processes. Because they effect localized changes to the cytoskeleton only in their active (GTP-bound) conformation, the ability to monitor the active state of Rho GTPases in space and time is critical for understanding their function. Here, we summarize popular tools used for live imaging of active Rho GTPases, outlining advantages and drawbacks of these approaches. Additionally, we highlight key features of the Xenopus laevis embryo that make it well-suited for epithelial cell biology and discuss how application of Rho activity reporters in the Xenopus laevis embryo led to the discovery of a novel phenomenon, junctional Rho flares.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109.
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109.
authors.forename: Ann L
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7293-764X
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000235:genetics; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000378:metabolism*; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins
keywords: amphibian; early development; signaling