Rab11-mediated recycling endosome role in nervous system development and neurodegenerative diseases

Membrane trafficking process is significant for the complex and precise regulatory of the nervous system. Rab11, as a small GTPase of the Rab superfamily, controls endocytic vesicular trafficking to the cell surface after sorting in recycling endosome (RE), coordinating with its receptors to maintain neurological function.

This article reviewed the literature of Rab11 in nervous system.

Rab11-positive vesicles targeted transport growth-related molecules, such as integrins, protrudin, tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) A/B receptor and AMPA receptor (AMPAR) to membrane surface to promote the regeneration capacity of axon and dendrites and maintain synaptic plasticity. In addition, many studies have shown that the expression of Rab11 is decreased in multiple neurodegenerative diseases, which is highly correlated with the process of production, transport and clearance of disease-related pathological proteins. And overexpression or increased activity of Rab11 can greatly improve the defect of membrane trafficking and slow down the disease process.

With increasing research efforts on Rab11-dependent membrane trafficking mechanisms, a potential target for nerve regeneration and neurodegenerative diseases will be provided.