vesikeltrafficking

VesikelTrafficking refers to the intracellular transport of materials packaged in membrane-bound vesicles between organelles and to and from the cell surface. It is a central function of the eukaryotic endomembrane system, coordinating secretion, membrane biogenesis, and cargo delivery.

Key routes include anterograde transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus via COPII-coated vesicles, and retrograde transport back to the ER via COPI. From the Golgi, vesicles reach the plasma membrane, lysosomes, or endosomes, often via clathrin-coated vesicles with adaptor proteins such as AP complexes. Endocytosis internalizes material from the plasma membrane, forming early endosomes that mature toward late endosomes and lysosomes. Exocytosis releases cargo outside the cell or contributes membrane to the plasma membrane.

The process relies on cargo selection, coat assembly and disassembly, and membrane fusion. SNARE proteins drive fusion; Rab GTPases regulate docking and tethering. Coat proteins, tethering factors, and motor proteins coordinate vesicle movement along cytoskeletal tracks. Energy from GTP hydrolysis and ATP powers these steps.

Disruptions in vesikel trafficking are linked to disease and dysfunction, including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and congenital trafficking defects. Research in imaging, biochemistry, and genetics highlights it as a major focus of cell biology.

In recent years, researchers have emphasized roles for vesicle trafficking in receptor recycling, signaling, and immune function, underscoring its importance beyond simple cargo transport.