Spatiotemporal Regulation of Rho GTPases in Neuronal Migration

Cells. 2019 Jun 10;8(6):568. doi: 10.3390/cells8060568.

Abstract

Neuronal migration is essential for the orchestration of brain development and involves several contiguous steps: interkinetic nuclear movement (INM), multipolar-bipolar transition, locomotion, and translocation. Growing evidence suggests that Rho GTPases, including RhoA, Rac, Cdc42, and the atypical Rnd members, play critical roles in neuronal migration by regulating both actin and microtubule cytoskeletal components. This review focuses on the spatiotemporal-specific regulation of Rho GTPases as well as their regulators and effectors in distinct steps during the neuronal migration process. Their roles in bridging extracellular signals and cytoskeletal dynamics to provide optimal structural support to the migrating neurons will also be discussed.

Keywords: GTPase-activating protein; Rho GTPase; guanine nucleotide exchange factor; neuronal development; neuronal migration.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adherens Junctions / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Ependymoglial Cells / chemistry
  • Ependymoglial Cells / cytology
  • Ependymoglial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neurogenesis
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins