RAB7A

RAB7A is a member of the RAS oncogene family and is a key regulator in the endocytic pathway. It is involved in the late stages of endocytosis, which is the process by which cells absorb molecules by engulfing them. RAB7A is also associated with various diseases, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and some forms of cancer.

Function

RAB7A is a small GTPase that controls transport to late endocytic compartments such as late endosomes and lysosomes. It is involved in the biogenesis of lysosomes, the regulation of autophagy, and the promotion of apoptosis. RAB7A also plays a role in the maturation of phagosomes, which are vesicles formed around a particle absorbed by a cell during phagocytosis.

Clinical Significance

Mutations in the RAB7A gene have been associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2B, a peripheral neuropathy. In addition, RAB7A has been implicated in cancer progression and metastasis, particularly in breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Interactions

RAB7A has been shown to interact with a number of proteins, including RILP, Rabring7, and ORP1L. These interactions are crucial for the function of RAB7A in the endocytic pathway.

See Also

• RAS oncogene family
• Endocytosis
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• Cancer