RAB5A Human
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
RAB5A is a member of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases, which are involved in various cellular processes, including vesicular trafficking, cell growth, and cytoskeletal organization. RAB5A, in particular, plays a crucial role in the regulation of endocytosis, a process by which cells internalize molecules and particles from their surroundings.
RAB5A is a small GTP-binding protein that cycles between an active GTP-bound state and an inactive GDP-bound state. This cycling is essential for its function as a molecular switch in endocytic pathways. When bound to GTP, RAB5A interacts with various effector proteins to facilitate the formation of early endosomes, vesicle fusion, and cargo sorting .
RAB5A is primarily localized at the plasma membrane and early endosomes. It is a key regulator of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, a process that involves the internalization of receptors and other membrane proteins. RAB5A coordinates a complex network of effectors that functionally cooperate in membrane tethering, fusion, and organelle motility .
The activity of RAB5A is regulated by several factors, including guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that promote the exchange of GDP for GTP, and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) that stimulate the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP. Additionally, post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, can modulate RAB5A activity and its interactions with effector proteins .
Mutations or dysregulation of RAB5A have been implicated in various diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. For example, altered RAB5A activity has been associated with the progression of certain types of cancer by affecting cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, RAB5A dysfunction has been linked to impaired endocytic trafficking in neurodegenerative diseases .
