植物Rab蛋白的分类与功能

The Classification and Function of Plant Rab GTPases

Rab蛋白构成小G蛋白超家族中最大的1个家族,广泛存在于动物、植物和微生物中.Rab调控细胞内的囊泡形成、转运、锚定及囊泡与质膜的融合等过程,在细胞内吞和分泌途径中发挥分子开关的作用.不同生物中Rab的结构和作用机制非常保守,但Rab的分类和生理学功能存在差异.植物Rab不仅行使类似于动物或微生物同源Rab的细胞学功能,而且在植物生长发育、激素信号调节、生物或非生物胁迫应答等方面表现出功能特异性.本文结合近年的研究进展,对植物Rab的分类、结构、调节机制和功能进行了综述,并对当前植物Rab功能研究的难点和方向进行了讨论.

Rab GTPases comprised the largest family of the small guanosine triphosphate（GTP）-binding proteins, which ubiquitously exist in animal, plant and microorganism. As molecular switches, Rabs function in regulating the formation, traffic and tethering of intracellular vesicles, vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane for endocytosis and secretion. The structure and regulatory mechanism of Rabs are conservative; however, with significant variety in the classification and physiological functions. Plant Rabs play similar roles as their homologs in yeast or animals, such as the involvement in cell growth and development, hormone regulation and in response to both abiotic and biotic stresses. We summarized the recent advances in the classification, protein structure, regulation mechanism and functions of plant Rabs. The current understanding and challenges are also discussed.