Rab proteins as membrane organizers

Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2001 Feb;2(2):107-17. doi: 10.1038/35052055.

Abstract

Cellular organelles in the exocytic and endocytic pathways have a distinctive spatial distribution and communicate through an elaborate system of vesiculo-tubular transport. Rab proteins and their effectors coordinate consecutive stages of transport, such as vesicle formation, vesicle and organelle motility, and tethering of vesicles to their target compartment. These molecules are highly compartmentalized in organelle membranes, making them excellent candidates for determining transport specificity and organelle identity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Endocytosis
  • Exocytosis
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins