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Updated: May 24, 2026

Tracking Drug-induced Changes in Receptor Post-internalization Trafficking by Colocalizational Analysis
Published on: July 3, 2015
Dynamics of receptor trafficking in tumorigenicity
Christine A Parachoniak1, Morag Park
1Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract:
The transport and sorting of cell surface receptors into membrane-bound intracellular compartments is crucial for cellular homeostasis. Defects in receptor trafficking are associated with several diseases, including cancer. Recent advances in our understanding of mechanisms that control receptor trafficking have highlighted the involvement of membrane trafficking in cell signaling, as well as in biological processes, including cell migration and invasion. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of how cargos, focusing on receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and integrins, are dynamically transported through the endosomal pathway for recycling, and how this promotes spatially restricted signaling microdomains associated with distinct biological responses. We discuss mechanisms through which dysregulation of membrane trafficking contributes to tumorigenesis and potential therapeutic approaches.
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