Home > Browse Issues > Vol.39 No.3
Cdc42 as A Functional Meditation Factor in Fibrosis
Zhang Yu1,2, Wei Ran2, Huang Ping3, Jia Xiya2, Xiong Lixia1*
1Department of Pathophysiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China;
2First Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China;
3The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330036, China
2First Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China;
3The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330036, China
Abstract: Cell division control protein 42 homolog (Cdc42) is a small G protein of Rho family， acting as a “molecular switch”， cycling between an active GTP-bound and an inactive GDP-bound， and involving in cell adhesion， migration and polarization process. Fibrosis is an important cause of the organ function losing. Previous studies indicated that Cdc42 has a close relationship with cancer， cardiovascular diseases， neurodegenerative diseases without mentioning the direct relationship between Cdc42 and fibrosis. This review combines the most advanced research results with previous investigation to discuss liver fibrosis， renal interstitial fibrosis， pulmonary fibrosis and cardiovascular fibrosis that meditated by Cdc42. It also describes the Cdc42-induced mechanism in fibrosis like cell adhesion and migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cdc42-mediated signaling pathways involving in the process of fibrosis， their association with various key factors and “crosstalk” with other Rho GTPases are also discussed. More importantly， the specific therapies for Cdc42 are discussed in order to complete the pathogenesis of fibrosis and broaden the treatment of fibrosis.
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