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Caveolae and clathrin-coated vesicles: two possible internalization pathways for IFN-gamma and IFN-gamma receptor

R Sadir1, A Lambert, H Lortat-Jacob

  • 1CNRS UMR 5578, Université Claude Bernard-Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.

Cytokine
|April 12, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and its receptor (IFN-gammaR) are internalized into cells via both clathrin and caveolin pathways. This suggests distinct intracellular routes for IFN-gamma signaling to different cellular compartments.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Signaling

Background:

  • Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) binding to its receptor (IFN-gammaR) activates the Jak-STAT pathway.
  • The precise mechanisms and cellular locations of IFN-gamma and IFN-gammaR internalization remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the internalization pathways of IFN-gamma and IFN-gammaR.
  • To determine the colocalization of IFN-gamma and IFN-gammaR with known endocytic markers.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo and in vitro studies.
  • Double immunogold-labeling using electron microscopy.
  • Colocalization analysis with clathrin and caveolin.

Main Results:

  • IFN-gamma and IFN-gammaR were found in various cellular compartments, including the cytoplasm, mitochondria, and nucleus.
  • Colocalization with clathrin-coated pits and caveolin-containing structures was observed.
  • Evidence suggests dual internalization pathways for IFN-gamma and IFN-gammaR.

Conclusions:

  • IFN-gamma and IFN-gammaR utilize both clathrin-dependent and caveolin-dependent endocytic pathways.
  • These distinct internalization routes may direct the ligand-receptor complex to different intracellular targets.
  • This dual pathway mechanism could facilitate diverse cellular responses mediated by IFN-gamma.

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