This gene is a member of the Rab family of small G proteins and plays a role in regulating membrane trafficking between trans-Golgi network (TGN) and recycling endosomes (RE). The encoded protein is involved in the assembly of tight junctions, which are components of the apical junctional complex (AJC) of epithelial cells. The AJC plays a role in forming a barrier between luminal contents and the underlying tissue. Additional functions associated with the protein include endocytic recycling of occludin, regulation of epithelial cell scattering, neuronal regeneration and regulation of neurite outgrowth. Alternately spliced transcript variants have been observed for this gene. A pseudogene associated with this gene is located on chromosome 12. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2013]
