Transporting disease related cargo in the cell

Retrograde transport, the shuttling of proteins and lipids between vesicles inside the cell and membrane systems is critical for a range of cell functions. Recent evidence has linked this process to diseases as diverse as Alzheimer's and hepatitis C.

Formation of internal vesicles or endosomes in the cytoplasm – clathrin independent endocytosis – involves several cell surface proteins which are internalised. The EU-funded RETROMER (The mechanism of retrograde trafficking by retromer) project has investigated how cargo proteins are sorted, how membranes bend to form pits that become endosomes and the mechanism that initiates the whole process.

Further details: Transporting disease related cargo in the cell