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Function

Small GTPase which cycles between active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound states. In its active state, binds to a variety of effector proteins playing a key role in the regulation of endo-lysosomal trafficking. Governs early-to-late endosomal maturation, microtubule minus-end as well as plus-end directed endosomal migration and positioning, and endosome-lysosome transport through different protein-protein interaction cascades. Plays a central role, not only in endosomal traffic, but also in many other cellular and physiological events, such as growth-factor-mediated cell signaling, nutrient-transportor mediated nutrient uptake, neurotrophin transport in the axons of neurons and lipid metabolism. Also involved in regulation of some specialized endosomal membrane trafficking, such as maturation of melanosomes, pathogen-induced phagosomes (or vacuoles) and autophagosomes. Plays a role in the maturation and acidification of phagosomes that engulf pathogens, such as S.aureus and M.tuberculosis. Plays a role in the fusion of phagosomes with lysosomes. Plays important roles in microbial pathogen infection and survival, as well as in participating in the life cycle of viruses. Microbial pathogens possess survival strategies governed by RAB7A, sometimes by employing RAB7A function (e.g. Salmonella) and sometimes by excluding RAB7A function (e.g. Mycobacterium). In concert with RAC1, plays a role in regulating the formation of RBs (ruffled borders) in osteoclasts. Controls the endosomal trafficking and neurite outgrowth signaling of NTRK1/TRKA (PubMed:11179213, PubMed:12944476, PubMed:14617358, PubMed:20028791, PubMed:21255211). Regulates the endocytic trafficking of the EGF-EGFR complex by regulating its lysosomal degradation. Involved in the ADRB2-stimulated lipolysis through lipophagy, a cytosolic lipase-independent autophagic pathway (By similarity). Required for the exosomal release of SDCBP, CD63 and syndecan (PubMed:22660413). Required for vesicular trafficking and cell surface expression of ACE2 (PubMed:33147445). May play a role in PRPH neuronal intermediate filament assembly (By similarity).

Involvement in disease

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, axonal, 2B

CMT2B

A dominant axonal form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a disorder of the peripheral nervous system, characterized by progressive weakness and atrophy, initially of the peroneal muscles and later of the distal muscles of the arms. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is classified in two main groups on the basis of electrophysiologic properties and histopathology: primary peripheral demyelinating neuropathies (designated CMT1 when they are dominantly inherited) and primary peripheral axonal neuropathies (CMT2). Neuropathies of the CMT2 group are characterized by signs of axonal degeneration in the absence of obvious myelin alterations, normal or slightly reduced nerve conduction velocities, and progressive distal muscle weakness and atrophy.

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Post-translational modifications

Deubiquitination at Lys-191 and Lys-194 by USP32.

Phosphorylated at Ser-72 by LRRK1; phosphorylation is dependent on protein kinase C (PKC) activation of LRRK1.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the small GTPase superfamily. Rab family.

Tissue specificity

Widely expressed; high expression found in skeletal muscle.

Cellular localization

  • Cytoplasmic vesicle
  • Phagosome membrane
  • Peripheral membrane protein
  • Cytoplasmic side
  • Late endosome membrane
  • Peripheral membrane protein
  • Cytoplasmic side
  • Lysosome membrane
  • Peripheral membrane protein
  • Cytoplasmic side
  • Melanosome membrane
  • Peripheral membrane protein
  • Cytoplasmic side
  • Cytoplasmic vesicle
  • Autophagosome membrane
  • Peripheral membrane protein
  • Cytoplasmic side
  • Lipid droplet
  • Endosome membrane
  • Peripheral membrane protein
  • Cytoplasmic vesicle
  • Mitochondrion membrane
  • Peripheral membrane protein
  • Colocalizes with OSBPL1A at the late endosome (PubMed:16176980). Found in the ruffled border (a late endosomal-like compartment in the plasma membrane) of bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Recruited to phagosomes containing S.aureus or Mycobacterium (PubMed:21255211). Lipid droplet localization is increased upon ADRB2 stimulation (By similarity). Recruited to damaged mitochondria during mitophagy in a RIMOC1-dependent manner (PubMed:34432599).

Alternative names

RAB7, RAB7A, Ras-related protein Rab-7a

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Neuroscience

Molecular weight

23490Da

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