Presentation Date: Feb 14, 2026
AGSA Abstract
Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life. They form the building blocks of different types of tissues, yet the processes and signaling pathways that coordinate their behavior remain poorly understood. They undergo several changes including transition from two-dimensions within a planar sheet to three- dimensions during development. These changes are fundamental in the formation of various tissues and organs such as the lungs, kidneys, stomach, and intestine. Most of the cellular processes are controlled by specialized proteins called small GTPases, that are activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). RhoGEFs catalyze the exchange of GDP for GTP at the cellular level. They regulate the dynamics of the cytoskeleton, made up primarily of actin and myosin. Several different RhoGEFs have been identified across different developmental stages. They have been discovered to be subject to precise spatiotemporal regulation, otherwise, tissue architecture is compromised. This could lead to various developmental defects such as spina bifida, anencephaly and congenital heart disease. Yet, the molecular mechanisms of many RhoGEFs functioning at diverse developmental stages remain underinvestigated. This review seeks to elucidate some of the various RhoGEFs and how they function molecularly. It further outlines work-in-progress and potential experimental directions for investigating RhoGEF functions in order to uncover greater molecular understanding across several developmental stages.
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