Abstract
RhoG is a low-molecular-weight GTPase highly expressed in lymphocytes that activates gene transcription and promotes cytoskeletal reorganization in vitro. To study the in vivo function of RhoG, we generated mice homozygous for a targeted disruption of the RhoG gene. Despite the absence of RhoG, the development of B and T lymphocytes was unaffected. However, there was an increase in the level of serum immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgG2b as well as a mild increase of the humoral immune response to thymus-dependent antigens. In addition, B- and T-cell proliferation in response to antigen receptor cross-linking was slightly increased. Although RhoG deficiency produces a mild phenotype, our experiments suggest that RhoG may contribute to the negative regulation of immune responses. The lack of a strong phenotype could indicate a functional redundancy of RhoG with other Rac proteins in lymphocytes.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens / administration & dosage
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Apoptosis / radiation effects
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B-Lymphocytes / cytology
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B-Lymphocytes / enzymology
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Cell Differentiation
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Cytokines / biosynthesis
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GTP Phosphohydrolases / deficiency*
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GTP Phosphohydrolases / genetics
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GTP Phosphohydrolases / immunology*
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Gamma Rays
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Immunoglobulin G / blood
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In Vitro Techniques
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Lymphocyte Activation
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Nervous System / anatomy & histology
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Nervous System / enzymology
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Phenotype
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / metabolism
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
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T-Lymphocytes / cytology
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T-Lymphocytes / enzymology
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / radiation effects
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rho GTP-Binding Proteins
Substances
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Antigens
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Cytokines
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Immunoglobulin G
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
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Rhog protein, mouse
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GTP Phosphohydrolases
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rho GTP-Binding Proteins