Rho GTPases

Molecular Biology in Health and Disease

Rho GTPases control many aspects of cell physiology. This includes polarity, endo/exocytosis, adhesion, motility, transcriptional activation, cell cycle progression or apoptosis. In view of such pleiotropic activities, Rho-controlled signaling has proven to be of medical relevance, especially in tumorigenesis, disease-associated bone remodeling and infectiology.

This book is divided into three parts. Part 1 gives an evolutionary perspective of the Rho family, its atypical members, and an overview of how Rho activity is regulated. Part 2 addresses two important aspects of multicellularity controlled by Rho-dependent pathways, namely, cell-cell interactions and mechanotransduction. It also describes how post-translational modifications control Rho activity and how this is exploited by pathogenic bacteria. Part 3 explores several examples of the variety of pathophysiological processes controlled by Rho signaling, and gives a successful example of translational research, from the inhibition of Rho activation to the development of new molecules against osteoporosis.

This updated review on the biology of Rho GTPases is an essential read for molecular and cell biologists. It is also an invaluable guide to post-graduate and medical students who wish to deepen their knowledge in cell biology.

Contents:

• Rho Signaling Components:

  • Rho Signaling: An Historical and Evolutionary Perspective (Philippe Fort)
  • Atypical Rho GTPases in Health and Disease (Pontus Aspenström)
  • Regulators of Rho Signaling (Ehsan Amin and Mohammad R Ahmadian)

• Rho Signaling in Cell Physiology:

  • Rho GTPases in Cadherin-Based Cell–Cell Interactions: Adhesion, Repulsion, Fusion*(Fernanda Bajanca, Elena Scarpa, and Eric Theveneau)*
  • Rho Signaling in Mechanotransduction (Elizabeth Monaghan-Benson and Christophe Guilluy)
  • Posttranslational Modifications of Rho GTPases Mediated by Bacterial Toxins and Cellular Systems (Emmanuel Lemichez, Amel Mettouchi, and Michel Robert Popoff)

• Rho Signaling in Health and Disease:

  • RHOA Mutations in Cancer: Oncogenes or Tumor Suppressors? (Devon R Blake and Channing J Der)
  • Modulation of Osteoclast Differentiation and Function by Rho GTPases (Yongqiang Wang, Patricia Joyce Brooks, and Michael Glogauer)
  • RhoGEFs as Therapeutic Targets (Anne Blangy)
  • Endothelial Specific GTPase Signaling During Leukocyte Extravasation (Sofia Morsing, Lilian Schimmel, Jos van Rijssel, and Jaap D van Buul)

Readership: Molecular and cell biologists, post-graduate and medical students interested in cell biology.
Key Features:

• Different integration levels for a better understanding of biological and pathological implications of Rho signaling
• Chapters cover updated and original Rho-controlled aspects of cell biology
• Contributors are leaders in their fields of research