Figure 1.

Small GTPase orchestration in cell-cell communication. At the leading edge, RhoGTPases are activated and allows actomyosin formation and contractility. At the interface between the leading cell and the following cell, the actin cytoskeletal tension (red arrows) generated by activation of the RhoA pathway is transmitted from cell to cell via cadherin complexes. In following cells, increased tension at the front induces the delocalization of merlin, allowing discrete Rac activation. Cytoskeletal tension is transmitted to the plasma membrane via the ERM protein Moesin. Endocytic trafficking through Rab5 and Rab11 controls Cdc42 localization. Cdc42 controls Cadherin levels and ERM localization. E.E: Early endosome, R.E: Recycling endosome.