RAB7A

RAB7A, Ras-related protein Rab-7a, belongs to the Rab family of small G proteins, alias Rab7. RAB7A is encoded by the human RAB7A gene, which is located in the human genome.
RAB7A is located mainly in the late nuclear endosome, and regulates the translocation of the early endosome to the late nuclear endosome as well as the late endosome to the lysosome. RAB7A regulates endosomal and lysosomal fusion processes by interacting with downstream effectors such as Rab7-lysosome-interacting protein (RILP) and the homotypic fusion and vesicle protein sorting complex (HOPS). RAB7A is required for maturation of lysosomes, phagosomes, and autophagosomes, and has been shown to regulate cell survival and apoptosis.
RAB7A also plays important roles in cancer RAB7A also plays an important role in cancer, including regulation of epithelial mesenchymal transition and cancer cell proliferation, migration, and tumor growth.