IQGAPs as Key Regulators of Actin-cytoskeleton Dynamics

Cell Struct Funct. 2015;40(2):69-77. doi: 10.1247/csf.15003. Epub 2015 Jun 6.

Abstract

The actin-cytoskeleton plays a critical role in various biological processes, including cell migration, development, tissue remodeling, and memory formation. Both extracellular and intracellular signals regulate reorganization of the actin-cytoskeleton to modulate tissue architecture and cellular morphology in a spatiotemporal manner. Since the discovery that activation of Rho family GTPases induces actin-cytoskeleton reorganization, the mode of action of Rho family GTPases has been extensively studied and individual effectors have been characterized. The actin-binding protein IQGAP1 was identified as an effector of Rac and Cdc42 and is the founding member of the IQGAP family with two additional isoforms. The IQGAP family shows conserved domain organization, and each member displays a specific expression pattern in mammalian tissues. IQGAPs regulate the actin-cytoskeleton alone and with their binding partners, thereby controlling diverse cellular processes, such as cell migration and adhesion. Here, we introduce IQGAPs as an actin-cytoskeleton regulator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / chemistry
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Actins / chemistry
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Movement
  • Eukaryotic Cells / cytology
  • Eukaryotic Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / genetics*
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • ras GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics*
  • ras GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1
  • Protein Isoforms
  • ras GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein