Rho GTPases and exocytosis: what are the molecular links?

Abstract

Delivery of proteins or lipids to the plasma membrane or into the extracellular space occurs through exocytosis, a process that requires tethering, docking, priming and fusion of vesicles, as well as F-actin rearrangements in response to specific extracellular cues. GTPases of the Rho family have been implicated as important regulators of exocytosis, but how Rho proteins control this process is an open question. In this review, we focus on molecular connections that drive Rho-dependent exocytosis in polarized and regulated exocytosis. Specifically, we present data showing that Rho proteins interaction with the exocyst complex and IQGAP mediates polarized exocytosis, whereas interaction with actin-binding proteins like N-WASP mediates regulated exocytosis.