Rab蛋白在囊泡转运中的作用及影响

Rab蛋白是真核生物中保守的小GTP酶家族. Rab蛋白在细胞中普遍表达,它的活性在细胞内受到严格的调控:在活性形式Rab-GTP和无活性形式Rab-GDP之间转换,这是由鸟嘌呤核苷酸交换因子(GEFs)和GTP酶活化蛋白(GAPs)调控的,并在囊泡转运的调控中起分子开关的作用.在囊泡运输中, Rab蛋白与不同的下游效应分子相互作用,参与从供体膜选择货物、出芽形成囊泡、调控囊泡沿细胞骨架运动、囊泡与受体膜锚定融合.当Rab蛋白功能受损导致囊泡转运途径障碍时,则会表现出不同的疾病,包括神经退行性疾病、癌症等.本文将对近年来Rab的蛋白结构和功能、参与囊泡运输的分子机制、Rab蛋白的循环调控以及其异常导致的疾病进行综述.     

Rab蛋白在葡萄糖转运中的作用

在脂肪和骨骼肌细胞中,胰岛素可迅速刺激葡萄糖转运,即通常所说的GLUT4转运。 GLUT4转运是指Rabs与GTP结合时,促进囊泡与微管和微丝蛋白结合,并通过锚定和融合作用使GLUT4囊泡与目标膜结构融合。多数 Rab 家族成员广泛表达于各种组织细胞中,且在细胞内定位十分广泛,几乎存在于真核细胞所有的膜相关的细胞器的胞浆侧。 Rab 蛋白作为囊泡运输的分子开关,通过调节运输小泡的停泊和融合,在囊泡的形成、转运、粘附、锚定、融合等过程中起着重要的作用。 Rab蛋白受到多种上游调节蛋白的调节,同时调控着下游的多种效应蛋白,构成了复杂的调控网络：任何一个环节改变都可能会导致蛋白质转运的异常,进而引发疾病。本文系统阐述了Rab蛋白在葡萄糖转运过程中的作用及该领域的最新进展。     

Rab 蛋白调控胞内囊泡运输

细胞内各个细胞器之间通过囊泡的膜转运是真核细胞存在的基本。Rab蛋白确保了转运蛋白被运输至正确的目的地。Rab蛋白是小GTP酶中的一大家族,它通过募集其效应物蛋白,其中包括接头蛋白,栓系因子,激酶,磷酸酶以及动力蛋白等,调控了细胞膜的选取,囊泡出芽,去包被,转运以及膜融合等过程。本文主要从Rab蛋白循环着手,依次论述了Rab蛋白在囊泡出芽,去包被,转运和膜融合等过程中起到的作用,从而使读者对Rab蛋白能有一个更加系统的了解。     

Rab4：细胞囊泡循环运输过程的重要因子

囊泡运输是真核细胞中物质运输及信息交流的重要形式,Rab蛋白在这个过程中发挥着重要功能.Rab4是Rab蛋白家族的成员之一,参与调控早期内体的分选与内体循环途径.Rab4包括Rab4A、Rab4B和Rab4C 3个亚型.本文主要阐述了Rab4的结构特征、主要的效应蛋白和参与运输的货物蛋白以及影响细胞自噬、葡萄糖摄取、神经调节、心脏功能及肿瘤发生方面的功能.     

RabGTPase激活蛋白结构与功能

RabGTPase激活蛋白(RabGAPs)是一类含有TBC (Tre2/Bub2/Cdc16)结构域的蛋白家族,在Rab活性调节中起着失活Rab的作用。 近年的研究表明,RabGAPs蛋白通过与特定Rab相互作用参与细胞内膜泡运输的调节。 人类RabGAPs突变涉及细胞的极性运输、糖尿病和肿瘤发生等过程,植物RabGAPs蛋白介导病毒的细胞内迁移及气孔免疫等行为。 重要的是,RabGAPs作为一个关键的调节节点,整合Rab与其他小G蛋白之间的信号进而确保囊泡正确的分选、运输及锚定到不同的胞内膜泡系统。 本文综述了RabGAPs蛋白的结构特征、生理功能、底物识别及作用机制,并对RabGAPs蛋白未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

拟南芥SNARE因子在膜泡运输中的功能

高等植物细胞含有复杂的内膜系统,通过其特有的膜泡运输机制来完成细胞内和细胞间的物质交流。膜泡运输主要包括运输囊泡的出芽、定向移动、拴留和膜融合4个过程。这4个过程受到许多因子的调控,如Coat、SM、Tether、SNARE和Rab蛋白等,其中SNARE因子在膜融合过程中发挥重要功能。SNARE因子是小分子跨膜蛋白,分为定位于运输囊泡上的v-SNARE和定位于靶位膜上的t-SNARE,两类SNARE结合形成SNARE复合体,促进膜融合的发生。SNARE蛋白在调控植物体生长发育以及对外界环境响应等生理过程中起重要作用。该文对模式植物拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）SNARE因子的最新细胞内定位和功能分析等研究进展进行了概述。     

Rab蛋白的结构、功能及进化

Rab蛋白是小分子GTP结合蛋白家族(small GTP-binding proteins)中最大的亚家族,大约由200个氨基酸组成,由保守的G结构域与高度可变的N端和C端组成。Rab蛋白作为细胞内囊泡运输的分子开关,与其上游调控子和下游特定的效应子相互作用,并与GTP的结合和水解过程相偶联,在囊泡运输的不同阶段发挥作用。对不同Rab蛋白调控囊泡运输的研究有利干全面理解细胞内各类囊泡定向运输的分子动力学机制。     

拟南芥SNARE因子在膜泡运输中的功能

高等植物细胞含有复杂的内膜系统, 通过其特有的膜泡运输机制来完成细胞内和细胞间的物质交流。膜泡运输主要包括运输囊泡的出芽、定向移动、拴留和膜融合4个过程。这4个过程受到许多因子的调控, 如Coat、SM、Tether、SNARE和Rab蛋白等, 其中SNARE因子在膜融合过程中发挥重要功能。SNARE因子是小分子跨膜蛋白, 分为定位于运输囊泡上的v-SNARE和定位于靶位膜上的t-SNARE, 两类SNARE结合形成SNARE复合体, 促进膜融合的发生。SNARE蛋白在调控植物体生长发育以及对外界环境响应等生理过程中起重要作用。该文对模式植物拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)SNARE因子的最新细胞内定位和功能分析等研究进展进行了概述。     

囊泡运输的功能与调控机制

真核细胞通过区隔化形成各种细胞器,这些膜状结构和细胞质膜共同构成了复杂的生物膜系统。细胞质膜和细胞器之间以及细胞器之间大量的物质和信息交流构成了细胞生命活动的基础。由马达蛋白驱动的囊泡运输是细胞内物质运输的主要形式,囊泡运输的调控机制是细胞生物学领域的重大科学问题。该文重点总结了近年来基于微管轨道的囊泡运输领域中关于马达蛋白kinesin和cytoplasmic dynein的货物识别机制、货物卸载机制的研究进展,并对马达蛋白对于微管轨道的识别机制进行了初步探讨。此外,该文还总结了囊泡运输与人类疾病之间的关系。     

Rab蛋白在神经退行性疾病中作用的研究进展

Rab蛋白是Ras超家族成员,是一类小分子GTP结合蛋白.在大分子物质进入细胞的内吞途径和细胞器间的物质转运过程中,Rab蛋白通过招募其效应蛋白可作用于囊泡形成、转运、黏附和融合,是囊泡运输过程中的关键调节因素.Rab蛋白及其效应蛋白定位和功能的改变与多种疾病相关.本文就Rab蛋白的主要功能及其在帕金森病、阿尔茨海默病...     

Insights into the role of the membranes in Rab GTPase regulation

Rab GTPases are molecular switches with essential roles in mediating vesicular trafficking and establishing organelle identity. The conversion from the inactive, cytosolic to the membrane-bound, active species and back is tightly controlled by regulatory proteins. Recently, the roles of membrane properties and lipid composition of different target organelles in determining the activity state of Rabs have come to light. The investigation of several Rab guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) has revealed principles of how the recruitment via lipid interactions and the spatial confinement on the membrane surface contribute to spatiotemporal specificity in the Rab GTPase network. This paints an intricate picture of the control mechanisms in Rab activation and highlights the importance of the membrane lipid code in the organization of the endomembrane system.     

Rab and Arf Proteins in Genetic Diseases

Rab and ADP‐ribosylation factor (Arf) family proteins are master regulators of membrane trafficking and are involved in all steps of vesicular transport. These families of small guanine‐nucleotide‐binding (G) proteins are well suited to regulate membrane trafficking processes since their nucleotide state determines their conformation and the capacity to bind to a multitude of effectors, which mediate their functions. In recent years, several inherited diseases have been associated with mutations in genes encoding proteins belonging to these two families or in proteins that regulate their GTP‐binding cycle. The genetic diseases that are caused by defects in Rabs, Arfs or their regulatory proteins are heterogeneous and display diverse symptoms. However, these diseases mainly affect two types of subcellular compartments, namely lysosome‐related organelles and cilia. Also, several of these diseases affect the nervous system. Thus, the study of these diseases represents an opportunity to understand their etiology and the molecular mechanisms involved, as well as to develop novel therapeutic strategies .     

Regulation of Integrin β1 Recycling to Lipid Rafts by Rab1a to Promote Cell Migration

Rab1a is a member of the Rab family of small GTPases with a well characterized function in the regulation of vesicle trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus and within Golgi compartments. The integrin family heterodimeric transmembrane proteins serve as major receptors for extracellular matrix proteins, which play essential roles in cell adhesion and migration. Although effects on intracellular trafficking of integrins or other key cargos by Rab1a could influence cell migration, the regulatory mechanisms linking Rab1a to cell migration are not well understood. Here, we report identification of Rab1a as a novel regulator of cell migration using an unbiased RNAi screen targeting GTPases. Inhibition of Rab1a reduced integrin-mediated cell adhesion and spreading on fibronectins, reduced integrin β1 localization to lipid rafts, and decreased recycling of integrin β1 to the plasma membrane. Analysis of Rab1a effector molecules showed that p115 mediated Rab1a regulation of integrin recycling and lipid raft localization in cell migration. Taken together, these results suggest a novel function for Rab1a in the regulation of cell migration through controlling integrin β1 recycling and localization to lipid rafts via a specific downstream effector pathway.     

Rab4GTPase modulates CFTR function by impairing channel expression at plasma membrane

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, is caused by the disruption of biosynthesis or the function of a membrane cAMP-activated chloride channel, CFTR. CFTR regulatory mechanisms include recruitment of channel proteins to the cell surface from intracellular pools and by protein-protein interactions. Rab proteins are small GTPases involved in regulated trafficking controlling vesicle docking and fusion. Rab4 controls recycling events from endosome to the plasma membrane, fusion, and degradation. The colorectal cell line HT-29 natively expresses CFTR and responds to cAMP stimulation with an increase in CFTR-mediated currents. Rab4 over-expression in HT-29 cells inhibits both basal and cAMP-stimulated CFTR-mediated currents. GTPase-deficient Rab4Q67L and GDP locked Rab4S22N both inhibit channel activity, which appears characteristically different. Active status of Rab4 was confirmed by GTP overlay assay, while its expression was verified by Western blotting. The pull-down and immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that Rab4 physically interacts with CFTR through protein-protein interaction. Biotinylation with cell impermeant NHS-Sulfo-SS-Biotin implies that Rab4 impairs CFTR expression at cell surface. The enhanced cytosolic CFTR indicates that Rab4 expression restrains CFTR appearance at the cell membrane. The study suggests that Rab4 regulates the channel through multiple mechanisms that include protein-protein interaction, GTP/GDP exchange, and channel protein trafficking. We propose that Rab4 is a dynamic molecule with a significant role in CFTR function.     

Pairing phosphoinositides with calcium ions in endolysosomal dynamics: phosphoinositides control the direction and specificity of membrane trafficking by regulating the activity of calcium channels in the endolysosomes

The direction and specificity of endolysosomal membrane trafficking is tightly regulated by various cytosolic and membrane-bound factors, including soluble NSF attachment protein receptors (SNAREs), Rab GTPases, and phosphoinositides. Another trafficking regulatory factor is juxta-organellar Ca(2+) , which is hypothesized to be released from the lumen of endolysosomes and to be present at higher concentrations near fusion/fission sites. The recent identification and characterization of several Ca(2+) channel proteins from endolysosomal membranes has provided a unique opportunity to examine the roles of Ca(2+) and Ca(2+) channels in the membrane trafficking of endolysosomes. SNAREs, Rab GTPases, and phosphoinositides have been reported to regulate plasma membrane ion channels, thereby suggesting that these trafficking regulators may also modulate endolysosomal dynamics by controlling Ca(2+) flux across endolysosomal membranes. In this paper, we discuss the roles of phosphoinositides, Ca(2+) , and potential interactions between endolysosomal Ca(2+) channels and phosphoinositides in endolysosomal dynamics.     

Rab-dependent cellular trafficking and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Rab GTPases are becoming increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, although their role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been somewhat overlooked. However, dysfunction of intracellular transport is gaining increasing attention as a pathogenic mechanism in ALS. Many previous studies have focused axonal trafficking, and the extreme length of axons in motor neurons may contribute to their unique susceptibility in this disorder. In contrast, the role of transport defects within the cell body has been relatively neglected. Similarly, whilst Rab GTPases control all intracellular membrane trafficking events, their role in ALS is poorly understood. Emerging evidence now highlights this family of proteins in ALS, particularly the discovery that C9orf72 functions in intra transport in conjunction with several Rab GTPases. Here, we summarize recent updates on cellular transport defects in ALS, with a focus on Rab GTPases and how their dysfunction may specifically target neurons and contribute to pathophysiology. We discuss the molecular mechanisms associated with dysfunction of Rab proteins in ALS. Finally, we also discuss dysfunction in other modes of transport recently implicated in ALS, including nucleocytoplasmic transport and the ER-mitochondrial contact regions (MAM compartment), and speculate whether these may also involve Rab GTPases.     

Tied up: Does altering phosphoinositide-mediated membrane trafficking influence neurodegenerative disease phenotypes?

Phosphoinositides are a class of membrane lipids that are found on several intracellular compartments and play diverse roles inside cells, such as vesicle formation, protein trafficking, endocytosis etc. Intracellular distribution and levels of phosphoinositides are regulated by enzymes that generate and breakdown these lipids as well as other proteins that associate with phosphoinositides. These events lead to differing levels of specific phosphoinositides on different intracellular compartments. At these intracellular locations, phosphoinositides and their associated proteins, such as Rab GTPases, dynamin and BAR domain-containing proteins, regulate a variety of membrane trafficking pathways. Neurodegenerative phenotypes in disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) can arise as a consequence of altered or hampered intracellular trafficking. Altered trafficking can cause proteins such as \(\upalpha \)-synuclein to aggregate intracellularly. Several trafficking pathways are regulated by master regulators such as LRRK2, which is known to regulate the activity of phosphoinositide effector proteins. Perturbing either the levels of phosphoinositides or their interactions with different proteins disrupts intracellular trafficking pathways, contributing to phenotypes often observed in disorders such as Alzheimer’s or PDs. Thus, studying phosphoinositide regulation and its role in trafficking can give us a deeper understanding of the contribution of disrupted trafficking to neurodegenerative phenotypes.     

Endocytic membrane trafficking in the control of centrosome function

Until recently, endocytic trafficking and its regulators were thought to function almost exclusively on membrane-bound organelles and/or vesicles containing a lipid bilayer. Recent studies have demonstrated that endocytic regulatory proteins play much wider roles in trafficking regulation and influence a variety of nonendocytic pathways, including trafficking to/from mitochondria and peroxisomes. Moreover, new studies also suggest that endocytic regulators also control trafficking to and from cellular organelles that lack membranes, such as the centrosome. Although endocytic membrane trafficking (EMT) clearly impacts pathways downstream of the centrosome, such as ciliogenesis (including transport to and from cilia), mitotic spindle formation, and cytokinesis, relatively few studies have focused on the growing role for EMT more directly on centrosome biogenesis, maintenance and control throughout cell cycle, and centrosome duplication. Indeed, a growing number of endocytic regulatory proteins have been implicated in centrosome regulation, including various Rab proteins (among them Rab11) and the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2. In this review, we will examine the relationship between centrosomes and EMT, focusing primarily on how EMT directly influences the centrosome.     

Small GTPase Rab17 regulates dendritic morphogenesis and postsynaptic development of hippocampal neurons

Neurons are compartmentalized into two morphologically, molecularly, and functionally distinct domains: axons and dendrites, and precise targeting and localization of proteins within these domains are critical for proper neuronal functions. It has been reported that several members of the Rab family small GTPases that are key mediators of membrane trafficking, regulate axon-specific trafficking events, but little has been elucidated regarding the molecular mechanisms that underlie dendrite-specific membrane trafficking. Here we show that Rab17 regulates dendritic morphogenesis and postsynaptic development in mouse hippocampal neurons. Rab17 is localized at dendritic growth cones, shafts, filopodia, and mature spines, but it is mostly absent in axons. We also found that Rab17 mediates dendrite growth and branching and that it does not regulate axon growth or branching. Moreover, shRNA-mediated knockdown of Rab17 expression resulted in a dramatically reduced number of dendritic spines, probably because of impaired filopodia formation. These findings have revealed the first molecular link between membrane trafficking and dendritogenesis.     

Competitive binding of Rab21 and p120RasGAP to integrins regulates receptor traffic and migration

Integrin trafficking from and to the plasma membrane controls many aspects of cell behavior including cell motility, invasion, and cytokinesis. Recruitment of integrin cargo to the endocytic machinery is regulated by the small GTPase Rab21, but the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying integrin cargo recruitment are yet unknown. Here we identify an important role for p120RasGAP (RASA1) in the recycling of endocytosed α/β1-integrin heterodimers to the plasma membrane. Silencing of p120RasGAP attenuated integrin recycling and augmented cell motility. Mechanistically, p120RasGAP interacted with the cytoplasmic domain of integrin α-subunits via its GAP domain and competed with Rab21 for binding to endocytosed integrins. This in turn facilitated exit of the integrin from Rab21- and EEA1-positive endosomes to drive recycling. Our results assign an unexpected role for p120RasGAP in the regulation of integrin traffic in cancer cells and reveal a new concept of competitive binding of Rab GTPases and GAP proteins to receptors as a regulatory mechanism in trafficking.