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Research progress of Rab proteins in neurodegenerative diseases

LI Yun, WANG Xue, XIE Jun-Xia, SONG Ning^*

Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine; Institute of Brain Science and Disease, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China

Abstract

As a member of the Ras superfamily, Rab proteins are small GTP-binding proteins. In the process of endocytosis of macromolecules and substances delivery between organelles, Rab proteins act on vesicle formation, transport, tethering and fusion by recruiting their effectors, therefore being key regulatory factors in vesicle trafficking. Disturbance of localizations and functions of Rab proteins and their effectors are involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases. This review focuses on the main functions of Rab proteins and their possible roles in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington’s disease.

Key words: Rab proteins; neurodegenerative diseases; α-synuclein; amyloid β-protein; Tau; Huntington protein

Received: 2020-06-11　　Accepted: 2020-11-04

Corresponding author: 宋宁　　E-mail: ningsong@qdu.edu.cn

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2021.0009

Citing This Article：

LI Yun, WANG Xue, XIE Jun-Xia, SONG Ning. Research progress of Rab proteins in neurodegenerative diseases. Acta Physiol Sin 2021; 73 (2): 315-328 (in Chinese with English abstract).