Figure 1.

Rho GTPase signaling. Rho GTPases are typically membrane bound due to post-translational modifications such as prenylation. Each Rho GTPase has its own rate of GTP hydrolysis and nucleotide exchange, and these can be increased by GAPs and GEFs, respectively. Rho GTPases are typically active when bound to GTP and in this state can bind effectors to effect changes in cell signaling. Rho GTPases can be negatively regulated by GDIs, which bind and sequester Rho GTPases away from their active subcellular localization and inhibit their reactivation. Rho GTPases can also be regulated transcriptionally or by phosphorylation (not shown), especially those Rho GTPases that have low rates of GTP binding or hydrolysis.