The RIN family of Ras effectors.

The human RIN1 gene was first identified as a cDNA fragment that interfered with RAS-induced phenotypes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Subsequent analysis of full-length RIN1 clones showed that the protein product of this gene is a downstream effector of RAS and binds with high affinity and specificity to activated HRAS. Two downstream RIN1 effector pathways have been described. The first involves direct activation of RAB5-mediated endocytosis. The second involves direct activation of ABL tyrosine kinase activity. Importantly, each of these distinct RIN1 functions is enhanced by activated RAS, suggesting that RIN1 represents a unique class of RAS effector connected to two independent signaling pathways. In this chapter, we summarize our assays and approaches for evaluating the biochemistry and biology of RIN1.