Function
RAB3IP is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that activates RAB8A and RAB8B. It promotes the exchange of GDP for GTP, converting inactive GDP-bound Rab proteins to their active GTP-bound form. RAB3IP facilitates the release of GDP from RAB8A and RAB8B but not from RAB3A or RAB5. This GEF modulates actin organization and promotes the polarized transport of RAB8A-specific vesicles to the cell surface. In collaboration with RAB11A, RAB8A, the exocyst complex, PARD3, PRKCI, ANXA2, CDC42, and DNMBP, RAB3IP promotes transcytosis of PODXL to the apical membrane initiation sites (AMIS), apical surface formation, and lumenogenesis.