rho-1 encodes a Rho GTPase; rho-1 activity is required for regulation of a number of actin filament-based processes including embryonic polarity, cell migration, cell shape changes, muscle contraction, and neurite outgrowth; in addition, RHO-1 is required for both DGK-1- and UNC-13-dependent and independent regulation of synaptic signaling at neuromuscular junctions; as RHO-1 binds DGK-1 in vitro, its regulation of DGK-1-mediated signaling may be direct; in vitro RHO-1 GTPase activity is enhanced by the RGA-3 and RGA-4 GAP proteins, consistent with genetic studies showing that, in the early embryo, RHO-1 activity is required for expression of the rga-3/4(RNAi) hypercontractibility phenotype; RHO-1 is ubiquitously expressed throughout development with notably high expression seen in head neurons and asymmetric expression seen in the anterior cortex of one-cell embryos.
Enables several functions, including GTP binding activity; GTPase activating protein binding activity; and GTPase activity. Involved in several processes, including actomyosin structure organization; positive regulation of acetylcholine secretion, neurotransmission; and positive regulation of locomotion. Located in cell cortex and cleavage furrow. Expressed widely. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in several diseases, including colorectal cancer; multiple sclerosis; and ovarian carcinoma. Is an ortholog of human RHOA (ras homolog family member A).