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Nanogold Labeling of the Yeast Endosomal System for Ultrastructural Analyses
Published on: July 14, 2014
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Structural and functional analysis of endosomal compartments in epithelial cells
Andres E Perez Bay1, Ryan Schreiner1, Enrique Rodriguez-Boulan1
1Margaret Dyson Vision Research Institute, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
Methods in Cell Biology
|September 12, 2015
Summary
Epithelial cells use distinct endosomes to sort proteins for apical and basolateral recycling. These common recycling endosomes (CREs) manage protein traffic similar to the Golgi apparatus.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Epithelial cells possess specialized endosomal compartments for apical and basolateral protein sorting.
- Common recycling endosomes (CREs) are crucial for directing plasma membrane proteins to distinct cellular destinations.
- The mechanisms of CREs resemble those of the trans Golgi network in the biosynthetic pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review methods for studying epithelial cell endosomal compartments.
- To elucidate the multiple trafficking roles of endosomal compartments in epithelial cells.
- To highlight the unique sorting capabilities of CREs.
Main Methods:
- Microscopy techniques to visualize endosomal compartments.
- Biochemical assays to track protein trafficking.
- Genetic manipulation to study protein sorting mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Epithelial cells segregate early endosomes into apical and basolateral sorting endosomes.
- CREs sort apical and basolateral plasma membrane proteins into distinct recycling pathways.
- The apical recycling route involves additional apical recycling endosomes.
Conclusions:
- Endosomal compartments are key in both endocytic and biosynthetic pathways.
- CREs exhibit sophisticated sorting functions analogous to the trans Golgi network.
- Understanding epithelial endosomal trafficking is vital for cellular polarity and function.
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