RHOA
RHOA (ras homolog family member A, also known as ARHA, ARH12, RHOH12 and Rho12) is a Rho family small GTPase that acts as a molecular switch in signal transduction. It promotes reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton and regulates cell shape, attachment and motility. Browse Assay Genie's current range of RHOA research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
RHOA belongs to the Rho family of the small GTPase superfamily. Like other members, it cycles between an inactive GDP-bound state and an active GTP-bound state, and in this way functions as a molecular switch in signal transduction cascades. Rho proteins promote reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton and regulate cell shape, attachment and motility. The enzymatic activity of the protein is classified under EC 3.6.5.2.
The RHOA gene encodes the protein recorded in UniProt as transforming protein RhoA. UniProt lists a broad subcellular distribution that includes the cell membrane, the cytoskeleton, the cleavage furrow, the cell cortex, the midbody, lamellipodia, dendrites, the nucleus and the cytoplasm. This spread is consistent with a role in cytoskeletal organisation across several cellular structures. Multiple alternatively spliced variants of the gene have been identified. The mouse and rat orthologs are both named Rhoa, which makes cross-species study of the RHOA protein straightforward.
HGNC places the gene in the Rho family GTPases group. Earlier names and symbols include ras homolog gene family, member A, ARHA, ARH12, RHOH12 and Rho12. Overexpression of RHOA has been associated with tumour cell proliferation and metastasis, which is one reason it is widely examined in cancer biology. UniProt also records that RhoA is a target of the yopT cysteine peptidase from Yersinia pestis, the vector of the plague, so it is relevant to studies of microbial infection.
RHOA promotes reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton, making it a central protein for studying how cells control their internal structure.
RHOA regulates cell shape, attachment and motility, which supports research into adhesion and cell migration.
Overexpression of RHOA is associated with tumour cell proliferation and metastasis, so it is studied in cancer progression.
As a GDP/GTP-cycling molecular switch, RHOA is a model for investigating signalling cascades regulated by small GTPases.
RHOA is a small GTPase that cycles between inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound states, acting as a molecular switch in signal transduction. It promotes reorganisation of the actin cytoskeleton and regulates cell shape, attachment and motility.
The HGNC name is ras homolog family member A, and UniProt lists transforming protein RhoA. Aliases and previous symbols include ARHA, ARH12, RHOH12 and Rho12. The previous gene name was ras homolog gene family, member A. Multiple splice variants have been identified.
Overexpression of RHOA is associated with tumour cell proliferation and metastasis. It is also a target of the Yersinia pestis yopT cysteine peptidase. Mouse and rat both have a Rhoa ortholog; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other Rho family GTPases and cytoskeletal signalling proteins that are studied alongside RHOA.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P61586; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.