Rab3C Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes. PMID: 40980146
<div class="infobox infobox-protein">
| Attribute | Value | |-----------|-------| | Protein Name | RAB3C, Member RAS Oncogene Family | | Gene Symbol | [rab3c](/proteins/rab3c-protein) | | UniProt ID | [Q8WV99](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q8WV99) | | Molecular Weight | ~25-30 kDa | | Subcellular Localization | Synaptic vesicles, secretory granules, plasma membrane | | Protein Family | Rab GTPase family | | GTP/GDP Binding | GTP-bound active, GDP-bound inactive | | Tissue Specificity | Brain (highest), endocrine cells, neuroendocrine cells |
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Overview
The RAB3C, Member RAS Oncogene Family (RAB3C) is a member of the Rab GTPase family, which is part of the larger Ras superfamily of small GTPases. RAB3C is primarily expressed in neuronal and neuroendocrine tissues, where it plays essential roles in regulated secretion, synaptic vesicle trafficking, and neurotransmitter release. Like other Rab3 isoforms (RAB3A, RAB3B, RAB3D), RAB3C is involved in the control of exocytosis and is crucial for maintaining synaptic plasticity and neuronal communication. PMID: 31223056
Structure
RAB3C possesses the canonical structure of Rab GTPases:
...
RAB3C, Member RAS Oncogene Family Protein
Introduction
Rab3C Protein is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes. PMID: 40980146
<div class="infobox infobox-protein">
| Attribute | Value | |-----------|-------| | Protein Name | RAB3C, Member RAS Oncogene Family | | Gene Symbol | [rab3c](/proteins/rab3c-protein) | | UniProt ID | [Q8WV99](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q8WV99) | | Molecular Weight | ~25-30 kDa | | Subcellular Localization | Synaptic vesicles, secretory granules, plasma membrane | | Protein Family | Rab GTPase family | | GTP/GDP Binding | GTP-bound active, GDP-bound inactive | | Tissue Specificity | Brain (highest), endocrine cells, neuroendocrine cells |
</div>}
Overview
The RAB3C, Member RAS Oncogene Family (RAB3C) is a member of the Rab GTPase family, which is part of the larger Ras superfamily of small GTPases. RAB3C is primarily expressed in neuronal and neuroendocrine tissues, where it plays essential roles in regulated secretion, synaptic vesicle trafficking, and neurotransmitter release. Like other Rab3 isoforms (RAB3A, RAB3B, RAB3D), RAB3C is involved in the control of exocytosis and is crucial for maintaining synaptic plasticity and neuronal communication. PMID: 31223056
Structure
RAB3C possesses the canonical structure of Rab GTPases:
GTP-binding domain: Conserved GxxxxGKST motif for nucleotide binding
Switch I region: Conformational change upon GTP/GDP exchange
RAB3C participates in several critical cellular processes:
Synaptic Vesicle Trafficking
RAB3C is associated with synaptic vesicles and regulates the docking, priming, and fusion of vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. It interacts with various effector proteins including: PMID: 32264724
Rabphilin-3A: Calcium-binding protein that links RAB3 to the release machinery
RIM (Rab3-interacting molecule): Scaffold protein for active zone organization
Synaptotagmin: Calcium sensor for triggered exocytosis
Regulated Exocytosis
In neuroendocrine cells, RAB3C controls hormone and neurotransmitter release through its role in:
Vesicle transport along cytoskeletal tracks
Vesicle docking at the plasma membrane
Fusion pore formation and expansion
Calcium-Dependent Regulation
RAB3C function is modulated by intracellular calcium levels through:
Calcium-binding to effector proteins (rabphilin, synaptotagmin)
Modulation of GEF/GAP activity
Interaction with calmodulin
Role in Neurodegeneration
Alzheimer's Disease
Synaptic dysfunction: RAB3C-mediated vesicle trafficking is impaired in AD brains
Zebra fish models: Developmental studies of exocytosis
Background
The study of Rab3C Protein has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.