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Research advances in the role of Rab GTPases in Alzheimer’s disease

ZHANG Jing¹, JIANG Hai-Tian¹, HAN Dao-Bin¹, YU Hui¹, WANG Lu-Wen², SU Bo^1,*

¹School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China；²Advanced Medical Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China

Abstract

Extracellular deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau are the predominant pathological changes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Increasing evidence demonstrates a critical role of a variety of small GTPases, namely Ras-related proteins (Rabs), in the pathogenesis of AD. As crucial regulators of intracellular membrane trafficking, alteration in Rab protein expression and function represents one of the primary factors contributing to the abnormal membrane trafficking in AD. Additionally, the Rab GTPases are also involved in the development of Aβ, tau and other pathological changes associated with AD. In this article, we conduct a comprehensive review on the primary functions of multiple Rab proteins and their involvement in the pathogenesis of AD. 

Key words: Rab; Alzheimer’s disease; Aβ; tau; membrane trafficking

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 苏擘　　E-mail: bxs103@sdu.edu.cn

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2023.0076

Citing This Article：

ZHANG Jing, JIANG Hai-Tian, HAN Dao-Bin, YU Hui, WANG Lu-Wen, SU Bo. Research advances in the role of Rab GTPases in Alzheimer’s disease. Acta Physiol Sin 2023; 75 (6): 817-835 (in Chinese with English abstract).