Work

Endosomes: A legitimate platform for the signaling train

Year: 2009

Type: review

Abstract: Although long regarded as a conduit for the degradation or recycling of cell surface receptors, the endosomal system is also an essential site of signal transduction. Activated receptors accumulate in endosomes, and certain signaling components are exclusively localized to endosomes. Receptors can continue to transmit signals from endosomes that are different from those that arise from the plasma membrane, resulting in distinct physiological responses. Endosomal signaling is widespread in metazoans and plants, where it transmits signals for diverse receptor families that regulate essential processes including growth, differentiation and survival. Receptor signaling at endosomal membranes is tightly regulated by mechanisms that control agonist availability, receptor coupling to signaling machinery, and the subcellular localization of signaling components. Drugs that target mechanisms that initiate and terminate receptor signaling at the plasma membrane are widespread and effective treatments for disease. Selective disruption of receptor signaling in endosomes, which can be accomplished by targeting endosomal-specific signaling pathways or by selective delivery of drugs to the endosomal network, may provide novel therapies for disease.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0906541106

Authors: Jane E. Murphy, Benjamin E. Padilla, Burcu Hasdemir, Graeme S. Cottrell, Nigel W. Bunnett

Institutions: University of California, San Francisco, University of Bath

Language: English

Topic: Cellular transport and secretion

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: British Heart Foundation, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases