ARHGAP21 as a master regulator of multiple cellular processes

J Cell Physiol. 2018 Nov;233(11):8477-8481. doi: 10.1002/jcp.26829. Epub 2018 Jun 1.

Abstract

The cellular cytoskeleton is involved with multiple biological processes and is tightly regulated by multiple proteins and effectors. Among these, the RhoGTPases family is one of the most important players. RhoGTPAses are, in turn, regulated by many other elements. In the past decade, one of those regulators, the RhoGAP Rho GTPase Activating Protein 21 (ARHGAP21), has been overlooked, despite being implied as having an important role on many of those processes. In this paper, we aimed to review the available literature regarding ARHGAP21 to highlight its importance and the mechanisms of action that have been found so far for this still unknown protein involved with cell adhesion, migration, Golgi regulation, cell trafficking, and even insulin secretion.

Keywords: ARHGAP21; cell dynamics; cytoskeleton; membrane trafficking.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cytoskeleton / genetics*
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics*
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism
  • Golgi Apparatus / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Insulin Secretion / genetics
  • Protein Transport / genetics
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • ARHGAP21 protein, human
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins