Ras-related protein Rab-23 (RAB23)

Ras-related protein Rab-23 (RAB23) is a member of the Rab family of small GTPases within the Ras superfamily, involved in the regulation of intracellular vesicle trafficking and membrane transport processes[1][2][5]. RAB23 is essential in the negative regulation of the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway, which is critical during embryonic cell proliferation, differentiation, and patterning[1][2][3][4]. Mutations in RAB23 are a primary cause of Carpenter syndrome, a rare congenital disorder with craniofacial, skeletal, and digital malformations[1][5]. RAB23 has complex, context-dependent roles in cancer, functioning as both a tumor suppressor and an oncogene in different tissues; its aberrant expression affects cell migration, proliferation, and invasion via diverse molecular pathways, including Shh and those involving integrins and the actin cytoskeleton[3][4]. RAB23 is also implicated in regulating autophagosome/phagosome maturation and has reported roles in infectious defense and dopamine receptor trafficking[2][3]. Despite its extensive cellular functions and disease associations, no drugs currently specifically target Rab-23, but its expression and mutation status have biomarker potential, particularly in cancer and developmental disorders[3][4][5].

Other names

HSPC137RAB family small GTP binding protein RAB 23RAB23member RAS oncogene family