Rho GTPases and Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics

Actin cytoskeleton dynamics plays a central role in regulating multiple aspects of cellular behavior, including the control of cell morphology and motility. Rho GTPases, a family of Ras-like small GTPases, are major regulators of actin cytoskeleton dynamics in eukaryotic cells. In this chapter, we summarize the current understanding of the role of these proteins in controlling actin dynamics. We first describe their biochemical functions and regulation, and then highlight some mechanisms they use to activate downstream effectors in order to regulate the actin cytoskeleton. We discuss the implications of their activity in the broader context of cell biology.