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Rho GTPase signaling during polarized cell migration
Author(s) -
Hall Alan
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.409.1
Subject(s) - cell polarity , microbiology and biotechnology , cdc42 , cytoskeleton , microtubule , cell migration , asymmetric cell division , biology , actin cytoskeleton , cell division , gtpase , signal transduction , polarity (international relations) , rac gtp binding proteins , actin , small gtpase , cytokinesis , cell , rac1 , genetics
The actin and microtubule cytoskeletons play a central role in defining cell shape and polarity and in driving many of the dynamic aspects of cell behavior such as cell migration, axon guidance, phagocytosis and cell division. Since, a major function of Rho family GTPases is to control the assembly, disassembly and organization of actin and tubulin filaments, they play an important part in regulating these cell biological processes. Cdc42 was first identified in budding yeast as an essential regulator of polarity during cell division and in pheromone‐dependent mating. It has since been shown to play a key role in establishing cell asymmetry in higher eukaryotes. Using primary rat embryo astrocytes and fibroblasts in in vitro assays, we have found that Cdc42 controls the polarity signals that are required for directed migration. Cdc42 controls the polarity of the microtubule cytoskeleton through a spatially localized signal transduction pathway involving: (i) the Par6/aPKC complex, (ii) inactivation of GSK‐3 and (iii) the association of the tumour suppressor APC with microtubule plus ends. We are currently characterizing the details of this signal transduction pathway to understand the biochemical mechanism that control cell polarity during migration.