New insights into the function of Rab GTPases in the context of exosomal secretion

Figures & data

Figure 1. (A) Ectosome vs. exosome biogenesis. (B) Left panel: Electron microscopy image of a multivesicular endosome (MVE) and a fusion event of an MVE with the reticulocyte plasma membrane. Transferrin-gold is labeling the exosome surface. Right panel: Autophagic structures are observed in continuity or close to MVE containing Tf-gold labeled ILVs.¹⁴ (C) Representation of the composition of exosomes emphasizing on potential functions. Note that these components can also be present in other types of extracellular vesicles.

Figure 2. Schematic description of vesicular trafficking and its Rab GTPases regulation, which may not exist in a given cell type. The three Rab proteins regulating exosome secretion are highlighted by the red arrow.

Figure 3. Provocative and simplistic scheme of Rab-dependence of exosome release considered from the secreting cell trafficking point of view. Of course, once secreted through any routes, exosomes could exhibit all kind of functional effects.

Dardalhon V, Géminard C, Reggio H, Vidal M, Sainte-Marie J. Fractionation analysis of the endosomal compartment during rat reticulocyte maturation. Cell Biol Int 2002; 26(8):669-78; PMID:12175670; https://doi.org/10.1006/cbir.2002.0917

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