Cellular functions of Rab GTPases at a glance

Yan Zhen; Harald Stenmark

doi:10.1242/jcs.166074

Cellular functions of Rab GTPases at a glance

J Cell Sci. 2015 Sep 1;128(17):3171-6. doi: 10.1242/jcs.166074. Epub 2015 Aug 13.

Authors

Yan Zhen¹, Harald Stenmark²

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Montebello, Oslo N-0379, Norway Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, Oslo N-0379, Norway.
² Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Montebello, Oslo N-0379, Norway Department for Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Montebello, Oslo N-0379, Norway stenmark@ulrik.uio.no.

PMID: 26272922
DOI: 10.1242/jcs.166074

Abstract

Rab GTPases control intracellular membrane traffic by recruiting specific effector proteins to restricted membranes in a GTP-dependent manner. In this Cell Science at a Glance and the accompanying poster, we highlight the regulation of Rab GTPases by proteins that control their membrane association and activation state, and provide an overview of the cellular processes that are regulated by Rab GTPases and their effectors, including protein sorting, vesicle motility and vesicle tethering. We also discuss the physiological importance of Rab GTPases and provide examples of diseases caused by their dysfunctions.

Keywords: GTPase; Rab; Traffic.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Biological Transport, Active / physiology
Cell Membrane / genetics
Cell Membrane / metabolism*
Humans
rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

rab GTP-Binding Proteins