Rab GTPases: From Molecular Mechanism to Pathology
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Editor
Topical Collection Information
Dear Colleagues,
Rab GTPases are major coordinators of intracellular membrane trafficking, including vesicle transport, membrane fission, tethering, docking and fusion events. Rab GTPases are strictly controlled by two important regulators: the guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) that undergo conformational changes by translocation between the cytosol and membranes. In addition to the molecular mechanisms, studies using knockout mice and genetic analysis of humans have reported that Rab proteins are associated with various neurological diseases, immune diseases, cancer and other pathological conditions.
This Special Issue, “Rab GTPases: From Molecular Mechanism to Pathology”, aims to collect high quality research articles, review articles and communications (including opinion and hypothesis papers) in all fields of Rab GTPases and their regulators, with a focus on molecular and cell biological research. Since the aim of this Special Issue is to illustrate, through selected works, frontier research in Rab GTPases and their regulators, we encourage relevant experts and colleagues to contribute papers reflecting the latest progress in their particular research field. Even papers regarding organelle formation alone and membrane trafficking alone are welcomed.
Prof. Dr. Takayuki Tsukuba
Collection Editor
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Keywords
- Rab GTPases
- membrane trafficking
- organelles
- endocytosis
- exocytosis
- autophagy
- phagocytosis
Published Papers (1 paper)
2022
Open AccessReview
Rab GTPases as Modulators of Vascular Function
by
Somasundaram Raghavan, Masuma Akter Brishti and M. Dennis Leo
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2988
Abstract
Rab GTPases, the largest family of small GTPases, are ubiquitously expressed proteins that control various aspects of cellular function, from cell survival to exocytosis. Rabs cycle between the GDP-bound inactive form and the GTP-bound active form. When activated, specific Rab GTPase-positive vesicles mediate
[...] Read more.
Rab GTPases, the largest family of small GTPases, are ubiquitously expressed proteins that control various aspects of cellular function, from cell survival to exocytosis. Rabs cycle between the GDP-bound inactive form and the GTP-bound active form. When activated, specific Rab GTPase-positive vesicles mediate cellular networks involved in intracellular trafficking, recycling, and/or exocytosis of cargo proteins. Dysfunctional Rab signaling pathways have been implicated in various disease processes. The precise cellular functions of several members of the Rab GTPase family are still unknown. A lack of pharmacological tools and the lethality of gene knockouts have made more detailed characterizations of their protein interaction networks difficult. Nevertheless, available evidence suggests that these proteins are vital for normal cell function. Endothelial and smooth muscle cells control vascular lumen diameter and modulate blood flow. Endothelial cells also secrete several pro- and antithrombotic factors and vasoactive substances to coordinate local inflammatory responses and angiogenesis. Rab GTPase function in endothelial cells has been relatively well-explored, while only a handful of reports are available on these proteins in vascular smooth muscle. This review summarizes the present knowledge on Rab GTPases in the vasculature.
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