Exocytosis and Endocytosis

The plasma membrane of a eukaryotic cell is the site of communications between the cell and its environment through endocytosis--where different membrane-coated vesicles that constantly bud off the plasma membrane enter the cytoplasm--and exocytosis--where vesicles arrive from the cytoplasm and fuse with the plasma membrane. These processes are important for cellular functions such as nutrient uptake, termination of receptor signaling, cytokinesis, and cell migration and for physiological processes such as embryonic and reparative morphogenesis, neuronal synaptic transmission, secretion of hormones and mediators, et cetera. In this work, Ivanov (gastroenterology and hepatology, U. of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry) present protocols for investigating exocytosis and endocytosis in vitro and in vivo. It is aimed at cell biologists, physiologists, developmental biologists, immunologists, and neurobiologists. Following two reviews summarizing experimental strategies commonly used to manipulate endocytic and exocytic pathways, 26 contributions describe cell-free assays of exo- and endocytosis, biochemical protocols for analyzing vesicle trafficking, assays of exocytosis and endocytosis in cultured cells, and examples of endocytosis and exocytosis analysis in model organisms. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)