Rho family of GTPases

The Rho family GTPases ( Ras homologue -> Ras ) belongs to the superfamily of small GTPases with a molecular mass of 20 to 40 kDa. They are important regulators of signal transduction by forwarding signals from the receptors to the effectors and thus affect a variety of cellular functions. In the human genome about 20 genes have been identified which encode proteins of the Rho family. Rho GTPases can be divided into five subfamilies, each with several members: Rho, Rac, Cdc42, Rnd and RhoBTB. In addition, there are individual Rho GTPases, which are not assigned to this subfamily. Rho GTPases regulate many cellular processes, such as the organization and remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, migration, cell polarity, cell division, membrane transport, and vesicle trafficking to oncogenesis.

Three well-studied subfamilies are Rho, Rac and Cdc42:

• Rho is responsible for the formation and contraction of stress fibers and focal adhesion contacts for training, places where stress fibers are coupled by means of integrins to the extracellular matrix, responsible. Stress fibers can be drawn through the entire cell or by components of a cell. They are also used in cell division after completion of mitosis constriction of the cells.
• If Rac activated, it comes to the formation of lamellipodia, flat protrusions of the cell membrane, and the emergence of Membrankräuselungen. Lamellipodia can be found at Leitsaum the membrane and consist of a network-like polymerized actin. You are able to train new adhesive contacts and drive the cell in cell migration progress.
• Cdc42 regulates the formation of filopodia, which represent thin elongated protrusions of the plasma membrane. They are composed of bundles of actin filaments, actin-binding proteins which are cross-linked by.