GDP dissociation inhibitors are proteins that regulate the
GDP-GTP exchange reaction of members of the rab family, small
GTP-binding proteins of the ras superfamily, that are involved in
vesicular trafficking of molecules between cellular organelles.
GDIs slow the rate of dissociation of GDP from rab proteins and
release GDP from membrane-bound rabs. GDI1 is expressed primarily
in neural and sensory tissues. Mutations in GDI1 have been linked
to X-linked nonspecific mental retardation.
