Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

GTPases and their Regulation02:14

GTPases and their Regulation

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), also known as GTPases, are a superfamily of proteins that regulate many cellular processes, such as cell signaling, vesicular transport, and the regulation of cell shape and motility. Mutation or dysfunction of these proteins can lead to disease. There are around 40,000 known G-proteins that can broadly be classified into two groups ‒  small G-proteins consisting of a single domain and large multi-domain G-proteins.
Large G-proteins, also known...
GTPases and their Regulation02:14

GTPases and their Regulation

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), also known as GTPases, are a superfamily of proteins that regulate many cellular processes, such as cell signaling, vesicular transport, and the regulation of cell shape and motility. Mutation or dysfunction of these proteins can lead to disease. There are around 40,000 known G-proteins that can broadly be classified into two groups ‒  small G-proteins consisting of a single domain and large multi-domain G-proteins.
Large G-proteins, also known...
Small GTPases - Ras and Rho01:24

Small GTPases - Ras and Rho

Ras and Rho are small monomeric GTPases that act downstream of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and regulate various cellular processes. These GTPases switch between active and inactive states by binding to guanine nucleotides.
Three regulatory proteins control their activity:
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins01:22

Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. As the name suggests, heterotrimeric G proteins are composed of three subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. They remain GDP-bound or GTP-bound inside the cells and switch between inactive/active states. The Gα subunit possesses the nucleotide-binding pocket that binds guanine nucleotides and switches between GDP or GTP-bound states. In contrast, the Gꞵ and Gγ subunits are always bound together with high affinity and are together...
Rab Proteins01:14

Rab Proteins

Rab proteins constitute the largest family of monomeric GTPases, of which 70 members are present in humans. Rab proteins and their effectors regulate consecutive stages of vesicle transport such as vesicle transport, docking, and fusion to the correct recipient membrane.
Rab proteins switch between a cytosolic, GDP-bound inactive state and a membrane-anchored, GTP-bound active state. By themselves, Rabs show slow rates of GDP/GTP exchange and GTP hydrolysis. Thus, Rab proteins are considered...
Coat Assembly and GTPases01:33

Coat Assembly and GTPases

Vesicles incorporate different coat protein subunits in different cell locations, which changes the properties of the coat, such as the shape and geometry of the transport vesicles. Thus, vesicle coat proteins also play a significant role in cargo selection.
Coat assembly depends on the local availability of phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs and GTP-binding proteins. Adaptor proteins, which link the coat proteins to the membrane, bind to these PIPs and play a crucial role in controlling...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A genome-wide genetic screen identifies a novel kDNA replication protein in trypanosomes.

Nucleic acids research·2026
Same author

Lossless resistive micro-heater design for reconfigurable phase-change photonics.

Optics letters·2026
Same author

FMOPhore for hotspot identification and efficient fragment-to-lead growth strategies.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Genetic origins and proteomic consequences of kinetoplast loss in trypanosomes.

PLoS pathogens·2026
Same author

Acoziborole resistance associated mutations in Trypanosoma brucei CPSF3.

PLoS pathogens·2026
Same author

Decoding efficacy and resistance space at a drug binding site.

Nature communications·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays
10:37

Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays

Published on: October 8, 2015

Analysis of small GTPase function in trypanosomes.

Mark C Field1, David Horn, Mark Carrington

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Methods in Enzymology
|April 17, 2008
PubMed
Summary

This study details methods for investigating gene function in African trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei), focusing on small GTPases. Protocols for transfection, RNA interference, and overexpression are provided for this important protozoan parasite model.

More Related Videos

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay
13:51

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Published on: November 11, 2018

Analyzing the Function of Small GTPases by Microinjection of Plasmids into Polarized Epithelial Cells
09:38

Analyzing the Function of Small GTPases by Microinjection of Plasmids into Polarized Epithelial Cells

Published on: May 31, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays
10:37

Comparing the Affinity of GTPase-binding Proteins using Competition Assays

Published on: October 8, 2015

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay
13:51

Detection of Small GTPase Prenylation and GTP Binding Using Membrane Fractionation and GTPase-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Published on: November 11, 2018

Analyzing the Function of Small GTPases by Microinjection of Plasmids into Polarized Epithelial Cells
09:38

Analyzing the Function of Small GTPases by Microinjection of Plasmids into Polarized Epithelial Cells

Published on: May 31, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Molecular parasitology
  • Eukaryotic genetics
  • Protozoan biology

Background:

  • Trypanosomatids are protozoan parasites with significant disease burden.
  • They hold a deeply divergent position within the eukaryotic lineage.
  • African trypanosome (Trypanosoma brucei) is a key model system for studying these parasites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline special considerations for studying trypanosome gene function, particularly small GTPases.
  • To provide practical protocols for experimental manipulation of Trypanosoma brucei.
  • To offer an overview of resources for trypanosome research.

Main Methods:

  • Describing protocols for transfection and RNA interference (RNAi).
  • Detailing methods for inducible overexpression.
  • Presenting basic transport assays and resource overview (vectors, cell lines).

Main Results:

  • Established protocols facilitate gene function studies in Trypanosoma brucei.
  • Specific considerations for small GTPase research are highlighted.
  • A comprehensive overview of available research tools is presented.

Conclusions:

  • The provided methods and resources enhance the study of gene function in trypanosomes.
  • This work supports further research into the biology and pathogenesis of trypanosomatid parasites.
  • Investigating small GTPases in Trypanosoma brucei is now more accessible.