title: Macropinocytosis: an endocytic pathway for internalising large gulps.
abstract: Macropinocytosis is a regulated form of endocytosis that mediates the non-selective uptake of solute molecules, nutrients and antigens. It is an actin-dependent process initiated from surface membrane ruffles that give rise to large endocytic vacuoles called macropinosomes. Macropinocytosis is important in a range of physiological processes; it is highly active in macrophages and dendritic cells where it is a major pathway for the capture of antigens, it is relevant to cell migration and tumour metastasis and it represents a portal of cell entry exploited by a range of pathogens. The molecular basis for the formation and maturation of macropinosomes has only recently begun to be defined. Here, we review the general characteristics of macropinocytosis, describe some of the regulators of this pathway, which have been identified to date and highlight strategies to explore the relevance of this endocytosis pathway in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Jet Phey
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gleeson
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010873:Pinocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000199:Actins