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Analysis and Preparation of Stable Complexes between Rab GTPases, Rab Escort Protein, and Rab Geranylgeranyl Transferase

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Part of the Methods in Molecular Biology™ book series (MIMB, volume 189)

Abstract

Rab proteins are small Ras-like GTPases that regulate vesicular trafficking events in the cell. More than 50 Rabs have been described in mammalian cells (1), each with a specific subcellular localization reflecting the functional specificity of Rabs to specific trafficking steps (2, 3, 4, 5). Rabs contain two cysteine residues at or near the carboxyl terminus, arranged in a variety of motifs. Both cysteine residues are modified by the attachment of geranylgeranyl groups via thioether bonds, in a reaction catalyzed by Rab geranylgeranyl transferase (also known as GGTase type II, RGGT) (6). This enzyme is a tightly bound heterodimer, composed of a 60-kDa α-subunit and a 38-kDa β-subunit, both related to the α- and β-subunits of the other known protein prenyltransferases, farnesyl transferase and caax geranylgeranyl transferase (also known as GGTase type I).

Keywords

Ternary Complex Smart System Geranylgeranyl Pyrophosphate Sodium HEPES Fast Performance Liquid Chromatography 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Copyright information

© Humana Press Inc. 2002

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Division of Biomedical SciencesImperial College School of MedicineLondonUK

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