Divergent pathways lead to ESCRT-III-catalyzed membrane fission

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Suman Peel1, Pauline Macheboeuf, Nicolas Martinelli

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, University Walk, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.

Trends in Biochemical Sciences
|October 30, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) mediate diverse cellular functions. ESCRT-III and VPS4 orchestrate membrane fission in processes like viral budding.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) are crucial for various cellular processes, including multivesicular body (MVB) biogenesis, cytokinesis, and enveloped virus budding.
  • While MVB biogenesis involves the sequential assembly of ESCRT-0, -I, -II, -III, and vacuolar protein sorting (VPS)4, other ESCRT-dependent events utilize a subset of these complexes, frequently including ESCRT-III and VPS4.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the assembly pathways and functional roles of ESCRT complexes in diverse cellular events.
  • To highlight the distinct contributions of different ESCRT components and their partners in membrane remodeling.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews recent progress in understanding ESCRT pathway assembly.
  • It emphasizes the analysis of functional requirements for different ESCRT-catalyzed processes.

Main Results:

  • ESCRT complexes exhibit specialized functions, with ESCRT-III and VPS4 commonly involved in processes beyond MVB formation.
  • Divergent assembly pathways converge on ESCRT-III recruitment to the neck of budding structures.

Conclusions:

  • ESCRT-III and VPS4 play a central role in catalyzing membrane fission during various cellular events.
  • Understanding these divergent pathways provides insight into the mechanistic basis of ESCRT function in membrane remodeling.

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