Ypt and Rab GTPases: insight into functions through novel interactions

Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2001 Aug;13(4):500-11. doi: 10.1016/s0955-0674(00)00242-8.

Abstract

Ypt/Rab GTPases are key regulators of vesicular transport in eukaryotic cells. During the past two years, a number of new Ypt/Rab-interacting proteins have been identified and shown to serve as either upstream regulators or downstream effectors. Proteins that interact with these regulators and effectors of Ypt/Rabs have also been identified, and together they provide new insights into Ypt/Rab mechanisms of action. The picture that emerges from these studies suggests that Ypt/Rabs function in multiple and diverse aspects of vesicular transport. In addition, not only are Ypt/Rabs highly conserved, but their functions and interactions are as well. Interestingly, crosstalk among Ypt/Rabs and between Ypt/Rabs and other signaling factors, suggest the possibility of coordination of the individual vesicular transport steps and of the protein transport machinery with other cellular processes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / physiology
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / physiology
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Protein Transport
  • Transport Vesicles / metabolism
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins