RAB27A
RAB27A (Ras-related protein Rab-27A, also known as RAB27, RAM, GS2 and HsT18676) is a small GTPase of the Rab family that regulates membrane trafficking in the late endocytic pathway. It also contributes to cytotoxic granule exocytosis in lymphocytes. Browse Assay Genie's current range of RAB27A research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
RAB27A belongs to the Rab family of the small GTPase superfamily. Rab proteins are key regulators of intracellular membrane trafficking, acting from the formation of transport vesicles through to their fusion with target membranes. Like other Rabs, RAB27A cycles between an inactive GDP-bound form and an active GTP-bound form. The active form recruits distinct sets of downstream effectors to membranes, and these effectors are directly responsible for vesicle formation, movement, tethering and fusion.
Within this framework, RAB27A regulates homeostasis of the late endocytic pathway, including endosomal positioning, maturation and secretion. It also plays a role in cytotoxic granule exocytosis in lymphocytes, and is required for both granule maturation and for granule docking and priming at the immunologic synapse. The protein is membrane-bound and has been localised to melanosomes, late endosomes and lysosomes. NCBI Gene notes that it may be involved in protein transport and small GTPase-mediated signal transduction.
The human RAB27A gene is classed by HGNC in the RAB, member RAS oncogene GTPases group, and its protein carries the GTPase activity designated EC 3.6.5.2. Mutations in the gene are associated with Griscelli syndrome type 2. Alternative splicing produces four transcript variants that encode the same protein. Mouse and rat each have a Rab27a ortholog, which allows the RAB27A protein and its pathways to be studied in common model systems.
As a Rab GTPase, RAB27A helps control vesicle formation, movement, tethering and fusion, making it a useful target for studying intracellular transport.
RAB27A functions in cytotoxic granule exocytosis, supporting granule maturation, docking and priming at the immunologic synapse in lymphocytes.
RAB27A regulates endosomal positioning, maturation and secretion, so it is relevant to studies of late endosome and lysosome homeostasis.
Mutations in the RAB27A gene are associated with Griscelli syndrome type 2, linking the target to research on this inherited disorder.
RAB27A is a small GTPase that regulates membrane trafficking. It controls late endocytic pathway homeostasis, including endosomal positioning, maturation and secretion, and contributes to cytotoxic granule exocytosis in lymphocytes, where it is needed for granule maturation, docking and priming at the immunologic synapse.
RAB27A is also known as RAB27, RAM, GS2 and HsT18676. The UniProt name is Ras-related protein Rab-27A, and HGNC lists it as RAB27A, member RAS oncogene family. Alternative splicing gives four transcript variants, but all encode the same protein.
Mutations in the RAB27A gene are associated with Griscelli syndrome type 2. Mouse and rat both have a Rab27a ortholog, so rodent systems can be used to study it. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other Rab GTPases, including the RAB27B paralogue and regulators of endosomal and secretory trafficking, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P51159; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.