In animal cells and in fungi, small GTP-binding proteins of the Rho family
have well-established roles in morphogenesis, cell-cycle progression, gene
transcription and the generation of superoxide anions. The presence of thes
e proteins in plant cells, however, has been established only recently, and
the role of Rho GTPases in plants is now coming into view. Already, it is
apparent that there are both striking similarities and fascinating differen
ces in how Rho GTPases are regulated and used in plant versus animal and fu
ngal cells. These new findings define certain core properties that might be
common to members of this protein family in all eukaryotes.