Actin in the endocytic pathway: from yeast to mammals

FEBS Lett. 2008 Jun 18;582(14):2112-9. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.04.011. Epub 2008 Apr 15.

Abstract

Genetic analysis of endocytosis in yeast early pointed to the essential role of actin in the uptake step. Efforts to identify the machinery involved demonstrated the important contribution of Arp2/3 and the myosins-I. Analysis of the process using live-cell fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy have recently contributed to refine molecular models explaining clathrin and actin-dependent endocytic uptake. Increasing evidence now also indicates that actin plays important roles in post-internalization events along the endocytic pathway in yeast, including transport of vesicles, motility of endosomes and vacuole fusion. This review describes the present knowledge state on the roles of actin in endocytosis in yeast and points to similarities and differences with analogous processes in mammals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex / metabolism
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Actins / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Endocytosis / genetics
  • Endocytosis / physiology*
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Myosin Type I / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology*

Substances

  • Actin-Related Protein 2-3 Complex
  • Actins
  • Myosin Type I