Small GTP-binding proteins in parietal cells: candidate modulators of parietal cell membrane dynamics

The stimulated fusion of intracellular H/K-ATPase-containing tubulovesicles with a target canalicular membrane surface is central to the process of acid secretion. A super-family of small GTP-binding proteins (smGTPBPs) has been implicated in many aspects of intracellular dynamics and vesicle membrane trafficking. We have investigated the presence of smGTPBPs in isolated rabbit parietal cells. Parietal cells possess a number of smGTPBP species with molecular masses of 18-28 kDa. One 23 kDa smGTPBP has been localized to tubulovesicles and identified immunochemically as rab2. Rab2 redistributes during stimulation in concert with the movement of the H/K-ATPase. The results demonstrate that specific smGTPBPs are associated with the parietal cell secretory apparatus. Small GTP-binding proteins are important candidate regulators of parietal secretory membrane dynamics.