RhoGTPases, actomyosin signaling and regulation of the Epithelial Apical Junctional Complex

Epithelial cells form regulated and selective barriers between distinct tissue compartments. The Apical Junctional Complex (AJC) consisting of the tight junction (TJ) and adherens junction (AJ) control epithelial homeostasis, paracellular permeability and barrier properties. The AJC is composed of mutliprotein complexes consisting of transmembrane proteins that affiliate with an underlying perijunctional F-actin myosin ring through cytoplasmic scaffold proteins. AJC protein associations with the apical actin-myosin cytoskeleton are tightly controlled by a number of signaling proteins including the Rho family of GTPases that orchestrate junctional biology, epithelial homeostasis and barrier function. This review highlights the vital relationship of Rho GTPases and AJCs in controlling the epithelial barrier. The pathophysiologic relationship of Rho GTPases, AJC, apical actomyosin cytoskeleton and epithelial barrier function is discussed.