RAB and RHO GTPases regulate intestinal crypt cell homeostasis and enterocyte function

摘要

Recent human and mouse genetic studies have highlighted important contributions of several small GTPases, in particular RabSa,1 Cdc42, and Rab11 a,to the proper morphogenesis and function of the mature intestinal epithelia. Additional insights about theinvolvement of these factors in maintaining intestinal stem cell homeostasis have also been obtained. These studies suggest a conserved vesicular and membrane trafficking program utilized by the gastrointestinal tissue to support the rapid epithelial cell turnover and the highly sophisticated physiology of mature epithelial cells.