RAB11B, Member RAS Oncogene Family (RAB11B)

The Ras superfamily of small GTP-binding proteins, which includes the Ras, Ral, Rho, Rap, and Rab families, is involved in controlling a diverse set of essential cellular functions. The Rab family appears to play a critical role in regulating exocytotic and endocytotic pathways. The deduced 218-amino acid RAB11B protein is similar to yeast YPT3, 99% identical to mouse Ypt3, and 91% identical to human RAB11A. RAB11B contains the 4 conserved domains important for GTP binding. The C terminus sequence of RAB11B is similar to that of RAB11A; in Rab proteins, this region is thought to be involved in membrane association. Recombinant RAB11B expressed in bacteria had GTP-binding activity. Northern blot analysis detected a 1.3-kb RAB11B transcript in all human tissues examined.