title: The atypical Rho GTPase RhoD is a regulator of actin cytoskeleton dynamics and directed cell migration.
abstract: RhoD belongs to the Rho GTPases, a protein family responsible for the regulation and organization of the actin cytoskeleton, and, consequently, many cellular processes like cell migration, cell division and vesicle trafficking. Here, we demonstrate that the actin cytoskeleton is dynamically regulated by increased or decreased protein levels of RhoD. Ectopic expression of RhoD has previously been shown to give an intertwined weave of actin filaments. We show that this RhoD-dependent effect is detected in several cell types and results in a less dynamic actin filament system. In contrast, RhoD depletion leads to increased actin filament-containing structures, such as cortical actin, stress fibers and edge ruffles. Moreover, vital cellular functions such as cell migration and proliferation are defective when RhoD is silenced. Taken together, we present data suggesting that RhoD is an important component in the control of actin dynamics and directed cell migration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blom
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala SE-751 22 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heldin
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kreuger
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: pontus.aspenstrom@ki.se.
authors.forename: Pontus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aspenström
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C105243:RHOD protein, human; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins
keywords: Actin; Cell migration; Rho GTPase; RhoD; Stress fiber