Abstract
Rab7 is a small GTPase that belongs to the Rab family and controls transport to late endocytic compartments such as late endosomes and lysosomes. The mechanism of action of Rab7 in the late endocytic pathway has been extensively studied. Rab7 is fundamental for lysosomal biogenesis, positioning and functions, and for trafficking and degradation of several signaling receptors, thus also having implications on signal transduction. Several Rab7 interacting proteins have being identified leading to the discovery of a number of different important functions, beside its established role in endocytosis. Furthermore, Rab7 has specific functions in neurons. This review highlights and discusses the role and the importance of Rab7 on different cellular pathways and processes.
Highlights
Rab proteins belong to the large superfamily of Ras-like GTPases, are conserved from yeast to mammals and have a crucial role in membrane trafficking
Delivery of endocytosed material to lysosomes for degradation occurs after progressive acidification of endosomal organelles, formation of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and late endosomes, recruitment of lysosomal hydrolases from Golgi, positioning of late endosomes in the perinuclear region and sorting of proteins destined for degradation [39]
A number of mutated potassium channels were found to colocalize with Rab7 on late endosomes [238]. These data suggest that disease-associated mutant KCNQ1/KCNE1 potassium channels are stored in late endosomes and their trafficking is controlled by Rab7
Summary
Rab proteins belong to the large superfamily of Ras-like GTPases, are conserved from yeast to mammals and have a crucial role in membrane trafficking They are important for vesicle formation, transport and fusion and for cargo selection and sorting, being fundamental for vesicular traffic in endocytosis, exocytosis and autophagy [1,2,3,4]. Rab isoforms as their identity is limited to 50% and they do not share the RabF and RabSF motifs They arethey differently localized and control steps of steps transport. In light of the polyhedric role of Rab in the economy of the cell, the aim of this review is to give a detailed overview of the impact of the endocytic Rab activity on different cellular processes. Organisms when it helps to clarify Rab functions and/or mechanisms of action
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