Endocytosis.
Mukherjee, Sushmita, Richik N. Ghosh, and Frederick R. Maxfield.
Dept. of Pathology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and
Surgeons, New York, New York; and Dept. of Biochemistry, Cornell University
Medical College; New York, New York
APStracts 4:0015P, 1997.
ABSTRACT
Mammalian cells take up extracellular material by a variety of different
mechanisms that are collectively termed endocytosis. Endocytic mechanisms
serve many important cellular functions including the uptake of extracellular
nutrients, regulation of cell-surface receptor expression, maintenance of cell
polarity, and antigen presentation. Endocytic pathways are also utilized by
viruses, toxins, and symbiotic microorganisms to gain entry into cells. One of
the best-characterized endocytic mechanisms is receptor-mediated endocytosis
via clathrin-coated pits. This type of endocytosis constitutes the major
emphasis of this review, with a brief discussion of other endocytic mechanisms
and their comparison with the receptor-mediated pathway. This review describes
and evaluates critically current understanding of the mechanisms of entry of
plasma membrane components such as the receptor-ligand complexes and membrane
lipids as well as the extracellular fluid into cells. The intracellular
sorting and trafficking of these molecules upon internalization are also
described. The roles of endocytosis in physiological and pathological
processes are discussed. These include maintenance of cell polarization,
antigen presentation, glucose transport, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease,
and the endocytosis of toxins and viruses.
APS Manuscript Number P2-7.
Article publication pending July 1997, Physiological Reviews.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1997 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 13 May 1997