Cdc42--the centre of polarity

J Cell Sci. 2004 Mar 15;117(Pt 8):1291-300. doi: 10.1242/jcs.01115.

Abstract

All cell types polarize, at least transiently, during division or to generate specialized shapes and functions. This capacity extends from yeast to mammals, and it is now clear that many features of the molecular mechanisms controlling polarization are conserved in all eukaryotic cells. At the centre of the action is Cdc42, a small GTPase of the Rho family. Its activity is precisely controlled both temporally and spatially, and this can be achieved by a wide variety of extracellular cues in multicellular organisms. Moreover, although the functional characteristics of cell polarity are extremely variable (depending on the cell type and the biological context), Cdc42 has an amazing capacity to co-ordinate the control of multiple signal transduction pathways.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Polarity*
  • Cues
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein, Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*

Substances

  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein, Saccharomyces cerevisiae