Overview:

CDC42 is a member of the Rho family of GTPases and is part of cellular pathways fundamental to growth, differentiation and apoptosis (1). Downstream targets for CDC42 include those that regulate the actin cytoskeleton (e.g. WASP) and cellular stress pathways (e.g. PAK) as well as the coatomer protein complex and PAR6. CDC42 is involved in the G(1)-S progression of the cell cycle. CDC42 and its downstream effector mDia3 are involved in bi-orientation and stabilization of spindle microtubules attachment to kinetochores and regulate chromosome alignment and segregation during mitosis (2).

Gene Aliases:

G25K, CDC42Hs

Genbank Number:

NM_001791

References:

1. Erickson, J.W. et al: Multiple roles for Cdc42 in cell regulation. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2001 Apr;13(2):153-7.

2. Narumyia, S. et al: A new look at Rho GTPases in cell cycle: role in kinetochore-microtubule attachment. Cell Cycle. 2004 Jul;3(7):855-7.