Critical importance of RAB proteins for synaptic function

Geranylgeranylation of Rab proteins.

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Genetic analysis of yeast Yip1p function reveals a requirement for Golgi-localized rab proteins and rab-Guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor.

Yip1p is the first identified Rab-interacting membrane protein and the founder member of the YIP1 family, with both orthologs and paralogs found in all eukaryotic genomes. The exact role of Yip1p is unclear; YIP1 is an essential gene and defective alleles severely disrupt membrane transport and inhibit ER vesicle budding. Yip1p has the ability to physically interact with Rab proteins and the na...

Flavors of Drosophila Rab Proteins

Ubiquitin homeostasis is critical for synaptic development and function.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) controls protein abundance and is essential for many aspects of neuronal function. In ataxia (ax(J)) mice, profound neurological and synaptic defects result from a loss-of-function mutation in the proteasome-associated deubiquitinating enzyme Usp14, which is required for recycling ubiquitin from proteasomal substrates. Here, we show that transgenic compleme...

Immunohistochemistry of Synaptic Proteins for Synaptic Exocytosis

INTRODUCTION The action potential leads to release of the neuromediator in the synaptic cleft. This occurs after fusion of synaptic vesicle membrane with presynaptic one. The presence of synaptic proteins is necessary to bring synaptic vesicles to the active zone of the presynaptic membrane and to fuse the lipid bilayers of both structures (5). The synaptic vesicles are specific cell organelles...