RAB22A, Member RAS Oncogene Family (RAB22A)

RAB22A is a member of the RAB family of small GTPases. The GTP-bound form of the encoded protein has been shown to interact with early-endosomal antigen 1, and may be involved in the trafficking of and interaction between endosomal compartments.

Expression of a GTPase-deficient Rab22a mutant caused accumulation of a fluid-phase marker and aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) into abnormal vacuole-like structures that contained both early and late endosome markers. Overexpression of either wildtype or mutant Rab22a in HeLa cells caused redistribution of transferrin (TF)-positive endosomes to the leading edges of the cells, fragmentation of the Golgi complex, and reduced degradation of EGF.