The novel Rho-family GTPase rif regulates coordinated actin-based membrane rearrangements

Curr Biol. 2000 Nov 2;10(21):1387-90. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(00)00777-6.

Abstract

Small GTPases of the Rho family have a critical role in controlling cell morphology, motility and adhesion through dynamic regulation of the actin cytoskeleton [1,2]. Individual Rho GTPases have been shown to regulate distinct components of the cytoskeletal architecture; RhoA stimulates the bundling of actin filaments into stress fibres [3], Rac reorganises actin to produce membrane sheets or lamellipodia [4] and Cdc42 causes the formation of thin, actin-rich surface projections called filopodia [5]. We have isolated a new Rho-family GTPase, Rif (Rho in filopodia), and shown that it represents an alternative signalling route to the generation of filopodial structures. Coordinated regulation of Rho-family GTPases can be used to generate more complicated actin rearrangements, such as those underlying cell migration [6]. In addition to inducing filopodia, Rif functions cooperatively with Cdc42 and Rac to generate additional structures, increasing the diversity of actin-based morphology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cell Size*
  • Cytochalasin D / pharmacology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Pseudopodia / drug effects
  • Pseudopodia / metabolism*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Time Factors
  • Vinculin / immunology
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Vinculin
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Cytochalasin D
  • RHOF protein, human
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins