Cloning and analysis of 16 Rab genes from macronuclear DNA of Euplotes octocarinatus.

Rab proteins belong to the largest family of the Ras superfamily of small GTPase that play an important role in intracellular vesicular traffic. So far, almost 60 members of Rab family have been identified in mammalian cells. To further study the diversity and function of Rab protein in evolution, unicellular protozoa ciliates, Euplotes octocarinatus , were used in this study, Rab genes were screened by PCR method from macronuclear DNA of E. octocarinatus . Sixteen Rab genes were obtained. They share 87.6–99.5% identities. Highly conserved GTP-binding domains were found. There are some hot regions that diverse sharply in these genes as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]