Rab30 is a small GTPase. It is primarily associated with the secretory pathway, predominantly localizing to the Golgi apparatus [3]. Rab30 plays a role in multiple cellular processes such as intracellular membrane trafficking, autophagy, and lipid homeostasis, and is thus of significant biological importance. Genetic models, like knockout (KO) mouse models, are valuable tools for studying its functions.

In KO mouse studies, Rab30 whole-body, liver-specific, and double knockout (DKO) mice (Rab30; Cpt2 liver-specific) were used. The DKO mice showed suppressed serum dyslipidemia compared to Cpt2L-/-mice, with decreased serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels, indicating a role for Rab30 in lipoprotein sorting and influencing hepatocyte and circulating triglyceride levels, especially during excessive lipid burden [1]. In another context, knockdown of Rab30 in cells led to the dispersal of early and recycling endosomes and TGN compartments, showing its role in retrograde trafficking from endosomes to the Golgi and maintaining endosome-TGN organization [2].

In conclusion, model-based research, especially using KO mouse models, has revealed that Rab30 is crucial for maintaining the morphological integrity of the Golgi apparatus, regulating autophagy against pathogens like group A Streptococcus, and controlling lipid homeostasis during fasting. These findings contribute to understanding diseases related to lipid metabolism disorders and pathogen-induced immune responses.

References:

1. Smith, Danielle M, Liu, Brian Y, Wolfgang, Michael J. 2024. Rab30 facilitates lipid homeostasis during fasting. In Nature communications, 15, 4469. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-48959-x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38796472/

2. Zulkefli, Khalisah L, Mahmoud, Ismail S, Williamson, Nicholas A, Houghton, Fiona J, Gleeson, Paul A. 2021. A role for Rab30 in retrograde trafficking and maintenance of endosome-TGN organization. In Experimental cell research, 399, 112442. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112442. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33359467/

3. Kelly, Eoin E, Giordano, Francesca, Horgan, Conor P, Raposo, Graça, McCaffrey, Mary W. 2011. Rab30 is required for the morphological integrity of the Golgi apparatus. In Biology of the cell, 104, 84-101. doi:10.1111/boc.201100080. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22188167/