RAB2A

The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the Rab family, members of which are small molecular weight guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) that contain highly conserved domains involved in GTP binding and hydrolysis. The Rabs are membrane-bound proteins, involved in vesicular fusion and trafficking. This protein is a resident of pre-Golgi intermediates, and is required for protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi complex. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2011]

Full Name

RAB2A, Member RAS Oncogene Family

Function

The small GTPases Rab are key regulators of intracellular membrane trafficking, from the formation of transport vesicles to their fusion with membranes. Rabs cycle between active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound states. In their active state, drive transport of vesicular carriers from donor organelles to acceptor organelles to regulate the membrane traffic that maintains organelle identity and morphology. Required for protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complex. Regulates the compacted morphology of the Golgi.

Biological Process

Biological Process endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi vesicle-mediated transportManual Assertion Based On ExperimentTAS:ProtInc
Biological Process Golgi organizationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIMP:UniProtKB
Biological Process protein transportIEA:UniProtKB-KW
Biological Process vesicle-mediated transportManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIBA:GO_Central

Cellular Location

Endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment membrane
Melanosome
Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
Golgi apparatus membrane
Cytoplasmic vesicle, secretory vesicle, acrosome
Localized in the Golgi apparatus in the round spermatids and in the acrosome in the elongating spermatid (By similarity).
Identified by mass spectrometry in melanosome fractions from stage I to stage IV (PubMed:17081065).