Molecular cloning of YPT1/SEC4-related cDNAs from an epithelial cell line

Molecular analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae secretion mutants has led to the identification of two Ras-like GTP-binding proteins, Ypt1p and Sec4p, which are essential for transport along the exocytic route. To study the regulation of membrane traffic in epithelial cells, a set of 11 clones encoding proteins similar to the YPT1/SEC4 products were isolated from an MDCK (Madin-Darby canine kidney) cell cDNA library. Four of these proteins, Rab8, -9, -10, and -11, are novel members of this subfamily of Ras-like proteins, and two of them are closely related to Ypt1p and Sec4p. The ratio of the number of clones isolated over the total number screened reveals a high level of complexity for this subfamily of GTP-binding proteins. This diversity supports their proposed function in controlling different steps in membrane traffic.