Authors: Christina M. Szalinski, Christopher J. Guerriero, Wily G. Ruiz, Brianne E. Docter, Youssef Rbaibi, Núria M. Pastor-Soler, Gerard Apodaca, Manojkumar A. Puthenveedu, Ora A. Weisz
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053790
Abstract Summary
Researchers found that PIP5KIβ, an enzyme producing the lipid PtdIns(4,5)P₂, is the rate-limiting factor for endocytosis at the apical surface of polarized kidney cells. Boosting PIP5KIβ levels selectively accelerated apical internalization by enhancing maturation of clathrin-coated pits, while other enzyme isoforms had no effect. This suggests PtdIns(4,5)P₂ helps overcome structural barriers unique to slower apical endocytosis.
Why Brain? 🧠
This study reveals that PIP5KIβ enzyme specifically controls endocytosis at the apical surface of kidney cells, identifying a key regulator of polarized membrane trafficking in renal epithelia.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
