Ras Homolog Gene Family, Member A (RHOA)

RhoA is a small GTPase protein known to regulate the actin cytoskeleton in the formation of stress fibers. It acts upon two known effector proteins: ROCK1 and DIAPH1.

RhoA is part of a larger family of related proteins known as the Ras superfamily; proteins involved in the regulation and timing of cell division.RhoA activates ROCK (RhoA kinase) which stimulates LIM kinase, which then stimulates Cofilin, which effectively re-organises the Actin cytoskeleton of the cell. In the case of neurons, activation of this pathway results in growth cone collapse, therefore inhibits the growth and repair of neural pathways and axons. Inhibition of this pathway by its various components usually results in some level of improved remyelination.