简介

In eukaryotes, the 'multivesicular body' (MVB) pathway delivers transmembrane proteins into the lumen of the lysosome for degradation. This degradation pathway is essential for regulating cell surface protein composition, nutrient uptake, cell communication and immune response. Disruption of the MVB sorting pathway can cause significant problems for the cell in responding to extracellular cues and results in pathogenic states such as uncontrolled cellular proliferation in cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. Several multiprotein complexes, called the ESCRTs, execute the sorting of proteins into the MVB pathway. Using yeast as a model system my laboratory combines genetics, cell biology and biochemistry to gain insight into the function of the ESCRT proteins.