Rac[e] to the pole

Abstract

Mechanical forces influence many biological processes via activation of signaling molecules, including the family of Rho GTPases. Within the endothelium, the mechanical force of fluid shear stress regulates the spatiotemporal activation of Rho GTPases, including Rac1. Shear stress-induced Rac1 activation is required for numerous essential biological processes, including changes in permeability, alignment of the actin cytoskeleton, redox signaling, and changes in gene expression. Thus, identifying mechanisms of Rac1 activation and the spatial cues that direct proper localization of the GTPase is essential in order to gain a comprehensive understanding the role of Rac1 in shear stress responses. This commentary will highlight our current understanding of how Rac1 activity is regulated in response to shear stress, as well as the downstream consequences of Rac1 activation.

Keywords: :

• Rac1
• shear stress
• mechanotransduction
• polarity

This article refers to:

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by NIH grant HL088632 (to E.T.). E.T. is an Ellison Medical Foundation New Scholar, and C.C. is American Heart Predoctoral Fellow (12PRE11930000).