Tracking down the elusive early endosome

Trends Plant Sci. 2007 Nov;12(11):497-505. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2007.09.001. Epub 2007 Oct 24.

Abstract

Despite significant progress in understanding protein trafficking and compartmentation in plants, the identification and protein compartmentalization for organelles that belong to both the secretory and endocytic pathways have been difficult because protein trafficking has generally been studied separately in these two pathways. However, recent data indicate that the trans-Golgi network serves as an early endosome merging the secretory and endocytic pathways in plant cells. Here, we discuss the proteins identified as markers for post-Golgi compartments in these two pathways and propose that the trans-Golgi network is a pivotal organelle with multiple sorting domains for post-Golgi protein trafficking in plant cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Endocytosis
  • Endosomes / physiology*
  • Endosomes / ultrastructure
  • Plant Physiological Phenomena*
  • Plants / ultrastructure
  • trans-Golgi Network / physiology
  • trans-Golgi Network / ultrastructure