Rho-related GTP-binding protein RhoG (RHOG)

RhoG, encoded by the RHOG gene, is a member of the Rac subfamily within the Rho family of small GTPases and functions as a molecular switch in signal transduction. RhoG is broadly expressed in mammalian cells—including fibroblasts, leukocytes, neuronal, and endothelial cells—and is essential for regulating the actin cytoskeleton, cell shape, attachment and motility, as well as processes such as gene transcription, endocytosis, and immune synapse organization. It switches between inactive (GDP-bound) and active (GTP-bound) states, with guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), GTPase activating proteins (GAPs), and guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) controlling its activity. RhoG acts upstream of Rac1 and Cdc42 and is necessary for cell migration, membrane ruffling, cup formation in immune cell trafficking, and other cytoskeletal rearrangements. RHOG is linked to disease processes including immune cell dysfunction and cancer, and contributes to pathogen entry during bacterial infection by cytoskeleton remodeling.

Other names

Ras homolog family member GRhoGARHGARHG, MGC125835, MGC125836rho-related GTP-binding protein RhoGras homolog gene family, member G (rho G)

For potential therapeutics, mechanisms would include inhibition of GTPase activity, interference with GEFs (guanine nucleotide exchange factors), or downstream effector modulation—similar to other Rho family protein-targeted strategies