Cells control their activity in coordination with the environment by downregulating the abundance of cell surface receptors and transporters by the action of endosomes and lysosomes. The process is initiated by ubiquitination of cell surface receptors and transporters, followed by their internalization by endocytosis. These cargoes are then transported via vesicular trafficking to early endosomes and, depending upon external cues, they are either recycled back to the plasma membrane or degraded in the late endosomal or lysosomal compartments. Given the heterogeneity of endosomes and lysosomes, due to their specific protein and lipid composition, subcellular localization and membrane shape, it is not surprising that they have also arisen as dynamic signaling platforms. Endosomes and lysosomes elicit an array of signaling events, which can modulate gene expression, cell survival, cytoskeletal organization, nutrient uptake, lipid transport, and autophagy. These compartments can also be hijacked by pathogen effector proteins, facilitating pathogen survival.
As the signaling functions of endosomes and lysosomes emerge, there is a need for a literature integration to better understand how these organelles cross-talk and coordinate their work in response to a particular external cue. Still there are many questions that remain to be answered: How are signals specifically targeted to endosomes and lysosomes? Which adaptor proteins are recruited and how? What is the role of their membrane shape, size, and lipid composition? How can pathogens effector proteins alter these factors?
This Research Topic is intended to cover recent advances in cell signaling and cargo trafficking in endosomes and lysosomes under physiological and infection conditions.
Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Protein trafficking in the endolysosomal pathway
• Localized endolysosomal-dependent protein degradation
• Membrane curvature-dependent signaling in endosomes and lysosomes
• Endosomal-dependent cell proliferation and movement
• Endosomes and cell survival
• Endosomal homeostasis
• Nutrient sensing in lysosomes
• Endolysosomal cross-talk with other organelles
• Protein trafficking and autophagy
• Endolysosomal regulation of the innate immune response
• Pathogen-mediated hijacking of endosomes
A full list of accepted article types, including descriptions, can be found at this
link