Muscle or fat? Rho bridges the GAP

Cell. 2003 Apr 18;113(2):144-5. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(03)00277-0.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into muscle or fat cells, depending on the exposure to growth factors. The Rho GTPase appears to play a crucial role in this decision of cellular fate, promoting myogenesis and inhibiting adipogenesis.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Microdomains / metabolism
  • Mesoderm / cytology
  • Mesoderm / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / genetics
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • ARHGAP35 protein, human
  • ARHGAP5 protein, human
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1