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Updated: May 29, 2026

In Vitro Polymerization of F-actin on Early Endosomes
Published on: August 28, 2017
The role of motor proteins in endosomal sorting
Sylvie D Hunt1, David J Stephens
1Cell Biology Laboratories, School of Biochemistry, Medical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
Abstract:
Microtubule motor proteins play key roles in the spatial organization of intracellular organelles as well as the transfer of material between them. This is well illustrated both by the vectorial transfer of biosynthetic cargo from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus as well as the sorting of secretory and endocytic cargo in the endosomal system. Roles have been described for dynein and kinesin motors in each of these steps. Cytoplasmic dynein is a highly complex motor comprising multiple subunits that provide functional specialization. The family of human kinesins includes over 40 members. This complexity provides immense functional diversity, yet little is known of the specific requirements and functions of individual motors during discrete membrane trafficking steps. In the present paper, we describe some of the latest findings in this area that seek to define the mechanisms of recruitment and control of activity of microtubule motors in spatial organization and cargo trafficking through the endosomal network.
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