Involvement of Rab27 in antigen-induced histamine release from rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 cells

The Rab family small G proteins regulate discrete steps in vesicular transport pathways. Recent studies indicate that one member of the Rab family, Rab27A, regulates the transport of lysosome-related organelles, such as melanosome distribution in melanocytes, lytic granule release in cytotoxic T cells, and dense granule release in platelets. Here, we have examined the involvement of Rab27A in the exocytic transport of another lysosome-related organelle, the basophilic secretory granule, in basophils. We have found that Rab27A locates on basophilic secretory granules containing histamine in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) 2H3 cells. In addition, exogenous expression of dominant active Rab27A reduces antigen-induced histamine release from the cells. We have moreover identified Munc13-4 as a Rab27A target using a CytoTrap system and found that exogenous expression of Munc13-4 affects antigen-induced histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells. These results demonstrate that Rab27A plays a crucial role in antigen-induced histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells.