Ras-related protein Rab-38

May be involved in melanosomal transport and docking. Involved in the proper sorting of TYRP1. Involved in peripheral melanosomal distribution of TYRP1 in melanocytes; the function, which probably is implicating vesicle-trafficking, includes cooperation with ANKRD27 and VAMP7 (By similarity). Plays a role in the maturation of phagosomes that engulf pathogens, such as S.aureus and M.tuberculosis (PubMed:21255211). Plays an important role in the control of melanin production and melanosome biogenesis (PubMed:23084991). In concert with RAB32, regulates the proper trafficking of melanogenic enzymes TYR, TYRP1 and DCT/TYRP2 to melanosomes in melanocytes (By similarity).

Although at least one in vitro system can process and methylate the prenylated C-terminal, in an in vitro system that normally express Rab-38 and in vivo the prenylated C-terminal is not proteolytically processed and not methylated.

Belongs to the small GTPase superfamily. Rab family.

Expressed in melanocytes.

• Cell membrane
• Lipid-anchor
• Cytoplasmic side
• Melanosome
• Cytoplasmic vesicle
• Phagosome
• Cytoplasmic vesicle
• Phagosome membrane
• Lipid-anchor
• Cytoplasmic side
• Melanosome membrane
• Recruited to phagosomes containing S.aureus or M.tuberculosis (PubMed:21255211). The BLOC-3 complex, a heterodimer of HPS1 and HPS4 promotes its membrane localization (PubMed:23084991).

Ras-related protein Rab-38, Melanoma antigen NY-MEL-1, RAB38

• entrezGene:23682
• omim:606281
• swissprot:P57729

Proteins

Neuroscience

23712Da