Biosensors for Detecting Small Rho GTPases: Monitoring Expression and Activation.

Abstract

Advanced biosensing technologies, such as Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), have enabled real-time, high-resolution tracking of Rho GTPase activity, surpassing traditional methods like pull-down assays. However, current biosensors mainly detect the GTP-bound active state through effector interactions, without directly measuring Rho GTPase expression or identifying related biomarkers of abnormal activation. Small Rho GTPases are essential molecular switches that regulate key cellular processes such as cytoskeletal organization, cell movement, polarity, vesicle trafficking, and the cell cycle. Their precise activation and deactivation are critical for cellular balance, and disruptions in their signaling pathways are linked to diseases like cancer and immune disorders. Monitoring their activity is vital for understanding these processes and developing treatments. This study highlights the need for next-generation biosensors capable of directly monitoring expression levels and novel biomarkers, offering new avenues for research and therapeutic development targeting small Rho GTPases.