RAB11A, Member RAS Oncogene Family (RAB11A)

RAB11A shares 69% homology with yeast Ypt3. The deduced 651-amino acid protein has many conserved features of Ras and Rab proteins, except that its C terminus lacks the cys-cys found in other Rab family members. Northern blot analysis detected expression in 4 tumor cell lines.

Western blot analysis detected RAB11A at an apparent molecular mass of 26 kD in human platelets and leukemia cell lines. Western blot analysis of rat tissues detected high Rab11a expression in platelets and much lower expression in kidney, liver, heart, lung, and brain. Differential centrifugation of human platelets showed enrichment of RAB11A in the granule/mitochondrion and membrane fractions, with a small amount in the cytosolic fraction.