Working model. At the lagging edge, the linker region of ANI-1 enhances the binding of the RBD to active RHO-1 (red arrows). This blocks the active side of RHO-1 for its effectors which dampens RHO-1 signaling and thereby slows down lagging edge ingression. At the leading edge, the linker region does not exert its positive effect on the RBD of ANI-1, and therefore the binding affinity of the RBD to RHO-1 is low and RHO-1 activates its effectors efficiently and drives the leading edge ingression. Since furrow-directed flows cause a compression of the actin cortex and enrichment of ANI-1 at the leading edge, we propose that the linker function is dampened at the leading edge in a flow-dependent manner.