Why Ras needs Rho
F McCormick - Nature, 1998 - nature.com
Nature, 1998•nature.com
The Rho protein is a small GTPase that, among its many functions, helps another small
GTPase called Ras to transform cells to an oncogenic state. But which of Rho's functions is
needed for this transformation? It turns out that Rho helps Ras by inhibiting another protein
p21Waf1/Cip1. This protein normally inhibits the cell cycle, so, by preventing it from doing
this, Rho enables Ras to carry out its function—driving cells into the cell cycle.
GTPase called Ras to transform cells to an oncogenic state. But which of Rho's functions is
needed for this transformation? It turns out that Rho helps Ras by inhibiting another protein
p21Waf1/Cip1. This protein normally inhibits the cell cycle, so, by preventing it from doing
this, Rho enables Ras to carry out its function—driving cells into the cell cycle.
The Rho protein is a small GTPase that, among its many functions, helps another small GTPase called Ras to transform cells to an oncogenic state. But which of Rho's functions is needed for this transformation? It turns out that Rho helps Ras by inhibiting another protein p21Waf1/Cip1. This protein normally inhibits the cell cycle, so, by preventing it from doing this, Rho enables Ras to carry out its function — driving cells into the cell cycle.
nature.com
