p21-activated protein kinase: a crucial component of morphological signaling?

Abstract

The mechanisms by which Rho family GTPases (Rho, Rac and Cdc42) regulate coordinated changes to the actin cytoskeleton are being elucidated. This review will focus on the current evidence that the p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are involved in regulating some of the diverse cytoskeletal changes induced by Rac and Cdc42. PAKs have been shown to be required for processes including neurite formation and axonal guidance, development of cell polarity and motile responses. Signaling molecules interacting with PAKs that might contribute to the regulation of such processes have recently been identified.