title: Rab-mediated trafficking role in neurite formation.
abstract: Neuronal cells are characterized by the presence of two confined domains, which are different in their cellular properties, biochemical functions and molecular identity. The generation of asymmetric domains in neurons should logically require specialized membrane trafficking to both promote neurite outgrowth and differential distribution of components. Members of the Rab family of small GTPases are key regulators of membrane trafficking involved in transport, tethering and docking of vesicles through their effectors. RabGTPases activity is coupled to the activity of guanine nucleotide exchange factors or GEFs, and GTPase-activating proteins known as GAPs. Since the overall spatiotemporal distribution of GEFs, GAPs and Rabs governs trafficking through the secretory and endocytic pathways, affecting exocytosis, endocytosis and endosome recycling, it is likely that RabGTPases could have a major role in neurite outgrowth, elongation and polarization. In this review we summarize the evidence linking the functions of several RabGTPases to axonal and dendritic development in primary neurons, as well as neurite formation in neuronal cell lines. We focused on the role of RabGTPases from the trans-Golgi network, early/late and recycling endosomes, as well as the function of some Rab effectors in neuritogenesis. Finally, we also discuss the participation of the ADP-ribosylation factor 6, a member of the ArfGTPase family, in neurite formation since it seems to have an important cross-talk with RabGTPases.
authors: Laboratory of Cell and Neuronal Dynamics (Cenedyn), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Villarroel-Campos
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Gastaldi
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Conde
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: Caceres
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Gonzalez-Billault
mesh_terms: D000089982:ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6; D000818:Animals; D011992:Endosomes / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D021601:trans-Golgi Network / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000089982:ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6; C000715348:ARF6 protein, human; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins
keywords: neuronal differentiation; neuronal polarity; rabs functions; vesicle trafficking