Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) (RhoA)

Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) is a small GTPase protein in the Rho family, encoded by the RHOA gene on chromosome 3. It cycles between inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound states regulated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), and phosphorylation. RhoA primarily regulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics through effectors like ROCK kinases (activating LIM kinase to inhibit cofilin), diaphanous-related formins (promoting actin polymerization), and others, influencing cell shape, polarity, migration, adhesion, contractility, proliferation, and signal transduction from receptors like integrins and G-protein-coupled receptors. The RhoA pathway links upstream signals (e.g., NgR1, LINGO1) to downstream reorganization of actin stress fibers and focal adhesions. Dysregulation contributes to diseases via enhanced vascular smooth muscle contraction (hypertension), tumor progression, or context-dependent suppression in lymphomas

Other names

Transforming protein RhoARas homolog gene family member A

Inhibition of ROCK kinases (downstream effectors of RhoA) to reduce myosin light chain phosphatase inhibition, decrease actomyosin contractility, and modulate actin dynamics; interference with guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) or GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) regulating RhoA activation