POLYPEPTIDE DOMAINS CAPABLE OF BINDING RHO PROTEIN AND THEIR USE IN ASSAYS

摘要

The Rho family of GTPases are involved in a wide range of eukaryotic cellular processes. Several known effector proteins bind to these GTPases and mediate their effect. Such proteins include ROCK-I/p160ROCK, ROCK II and Kinectin. The present invention provides a novel twenty three amino acid Rho-binding region which is conserved in a range of Rho binding proteins. Other proteins, including the yeast protein Skn7, are shown to contain regions homologous to this conserved region and to interact with Rho GTPases. Assays are also provided to identify molecules which affect cell growth through modulation of the Rho GTPase/effector protein interaction.