41161, ACTR2, ACTR3, ARFIP2, ARHGDIA, ARHGEF1, ARHGEF6, ARHGEF7, BAIAP2, CDC42, CDC42EP2, CDC42EP3, CDH1, CDH2, CDH5, CFL1, CIT, CYFIP1, DES, DIAPH3, DIRAS3, EGFR, ELK1, ERBB2, EZR, FOS, GFAP, GNAI1, GNAQ, GNAS, GNB3, IGF1R, IL10, IL1B, IL8, IQGAP1, ITGAV, ITGB1, ITGB3, JUN, KIT, LIMK1, MAP2K1, MAP2K2, MAP3K11, MAPK1, ...MAPK3, MAPK8, MSN, MYLK, NCF2, NFKB1, NFKB2, PAK1, PAK2, PARD3, PARD6A, PIK3CA, PIK3R1, PIP4K2A, PKN1, PLD1, PRKCI, PRKCZ, PTK2, PTK2B, RAC1, RAC2, RAC3, RAF1, RDX, REL, RELA, RELB, RHOA, RHOB, RHOC, RHOD, RHOG, RHOH, RND2, RND3, ROCK1, ROCK2, SLC9A1, STMN1, TNF, VIM, WAS, WASF1, WASL, WIPF1
View More... View Less...

The Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins comprises a group of signaling molecules that are activated by a variety of growth factors, cytokines, adhesion molecules, hormones, integrins, G-Proteins and other biologically active substances and regulate a ... wide range of biological processes, including reorganization of the Actin cytoskeleton, transcriptional regulation, vesicle trafficking, morphogenesis, neutrophil activation, phagocytosis and activation of, mitogenesis, apoptosis and tumorigenesis. The mammalian Rho GTPase family currently consists of three subfamilies, Rho (RhoA, RhoB and RhoC), Rac (Rac1, Rac2 and Rac3) and CDC42 (Cell Division Cycle-42) (CDC42Hs and G25K). The best-characterized family members of Rho Family GTPase are RhoA, Rac1 and CDC42. Each controls the formation of a distinct cytoskeletal element in mammalian cells. Activation of Rac induces Actin polymerization to form lamellipodia (broad web-like extensions), whereas activation of CDC42 stimulates the polymerization of actin to filopodia or microspikes (long and thin extensions). In contrast, Rho regulates bundling of actin filaments into stress fibers and the formation of focal adhesion complexes. The small GTPases of the Rho family act as molecular switches, cycling between an active GTP-bound state and an inactive GDP-bound state, a process that is regulated by GEFs (Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factors) which catalyze the conversion to the GTP-bound. Additionally, GDIs (GDP-Dissociation Inhibitors) have been described that capture Rho in both GTP and GDP-bound states and allow it to cycle between cytosol and membranes. In its active state Rho GTPases interact with their specific downstream targets and perform their cellular functions.
View More... View Less...