RAB5B, Member RAS Oncogene Family (RAB5B)

A subset of these GTPases plays a central role in membrane trafficking. Each of the several proteins of this subfamily that have been identified is thought to regulate vesicular trafficking at a specific subcellular compartment. The subcellular location of several RAB proteins has been determined by immunohistochemical methods. For example, RAB2 is found in the intermediate recycling pathway between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex. RAB6 is distributed in the medial and trans Golgi. RAB4 and RAB5A are associated with the plasma membrane and early endosomes. The newly identified RAB protein was 81% identical to human RAB5, the canine counterpart of which had been localized to the plasma membrane and early endosomes. RAB5B is presumably involved in vesicular trafficking at the plasma membrane.