endosomalsorting

Endosomal sorting is a fundamental cellular process that directs the fate of cargo molecules within the endosomal system. Following their internalization into early endosomes via endocytosis, proteins, lipids, and other molecules are subjected to a series of sorting events. These events determine whether the cargo will be recycled back to the plasma membrane, degraded in the lysosome, or sent to other cellular compartments. The process involves the dynamic maturation of endosomes and the specific recruitment of sorting machinery, including adaptor proteins and Rab GTPases. Key sorting pathways include the recycling pathway, where cargo is returned to the cell surface, and the degradative pathway, which leads to lysosomal degradation. Specific mechanisms, such as the formation of intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) within multivesicular bodies (MVBs), play a crucial role in concentrating ubiquitizing cargo for lysosomal targeting. Dysregulation of endosomal sorting can have significant implications for cellular function and is implicated in various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer.