Microtubules, cell compartments and Rho GTPases: a "menage a trois" for efficient migration

Dynamic cytoskeleton and membrane plasticity allow higher eucaryotic cells to actively migrate. To move, cells need to correctly integrate both extra and intracellular signals in order to completely reorganize their actin cyt oskeleton and corresponding adhesion structures. It is well established tha t RhoGTPases are pivotal regulators of actin organization making them. key players in the Control of cell migration. Actin organisation between the le ading and the rear edges of migrating cells is different, implying the exis tence of polarized activation and antagonistic activities. of the RhoGTPase s within the e cell. Recent data suggest that both microtubules and subcell ular compartments influence the local distribution and polarized activity o f RhoGTPases in migrating cells.