The Complex Ultrastructure of the Endolysosomal System

  1. Graça Raposo2,3
  1. 1Department of Cell Biology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
  2. 2Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Paris F-75248, France
  3. 3Structure and Membrane Compartments CNRS UMR144, Paris F-75248, France
  1. Correspondence: j.klumperman{at}umcutrecht.nl; graca.raposo{at}curie.fr

Abstract

Live-cell imaging reveals the endolysosomal system as a complex and highly dynamic network of interacting compartments. Distinct types of endosomes are discerned by kinetic, molecular, and morphological criteria. Although none of these criteria, or combinations thereof, can capture the full complexity of the endolysosomal system, they are extremely useful for experimental purposes. Some membrane domain specializations and specific morphological characteristics can only be seen by ultrastructural analysis after preparation for electron microscopy (EM). Immuno-EM allows a further discrimination of seemingly identical compartments by their molecular makeup. In this review we provide an overview of the ultrastructural characteristics and membrane organization of endosomal compartments, along with their organizing machineries.



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      1. Cold Spring Harb. Perspect. Biol. 6: a016857 Copyright © 2014 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved

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