Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Analysis of the Epithelial Damage Produced by Entamoeba histolytica Infection
Published on: June 12, 2014
Rab GTPases take centre stage in understanding Entamoeba histolytica biology
Kuldeep Verma1,2, Vijay Kumar Srivastava3, Sunando Datta4
1Institute of Science, Nirma University , Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Abstract:
Rab GTPases constitute the largest subgroup in the Ras superfamily of GTPases. It is well established that different Rab GTPases are localized in discrete subcellular localization and regulate the membrane trafficking in nearly all eukaryotic cells. Rab GTPase diversity is often regarded as an expression of vesicular trafficking complexity. The pathogenic amoeba Entamoeba histolytica harbours 91 Rab GTPases which is the highest among the currently available genome sequences from the eukaryotic kingdom. Here, we review the current status of amoebic Rab GTPases diversity, unique biochemical and structural features and summarise their predicted regulators. We discuss how amoebic Rab GTPases are involved in cellular processes such as endocytosis, phagocytosis, and invasion of host cellular components, which are essential for parasite survival and virulence.
Related Concept Videos
GTPases and their Regulation
Large G-proteins,...
GTPases and their Regulation
Rab Cascades
Rab Proteins
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...
Understanding the Self
Coat Assembly and GTPases
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...

