Rho’ing in and out of cells

Abstract

Rho GTPases are key regulators of actin and microtubule dynamics and organization. Increasing evidence shows that many viruses have evolved diverse interactions with Rho GTPase signaling and manipulate them for their own benefit. In this review, we discuss how Rho GTPase signaling interferes with many steps in the viral replication cycle, especially entry, replication, and spread. Seen the diversity between viruses, it is not surprising that there is considerable variability in viral interactions with Rho GTPase signaling. However, several largely common effects on Rho GTPases and actin architecture and microtubule dynamics have been reported. For some of these processes, the molecular signaling and biological consequences are well documented while for others we just begin to understand them. A better knowledge and identification of common threads in the different viral interactions with Rho GTPase signaling and their ultimate consequences for virus and host may pave the way toward the development of new antiviral drugs that may target different viruses.

Keywords: :

• Rho GTPase
• actin
• egress
• entry
• gene expression
• immune system
• transformation
• virus

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Acknowledgments

Research of H.W.F. is supported by grants from the F.W.O.-Vlaanderen and the Special Research Fund of Ghent University. C.V.D.B. is supported by a post-doc grant of the F.W.O.-Vlaanderen. T. J. is supported by a PhD grant from the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT-Vlaanderen).