title: Molecular mechanisms of the membrane sculpting ESCRT pathway.
abstract: The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) drive multivesicular body (MVB) biogenesis and cytokinetic abscission. Originally identified through genetics and cell biology, more recent work has begun to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of ESCRT-mediated membrane remodeling, with special focus on the ESCRT-III complex. In particular, several light and electron microscopic studies provide high-resolution imaging of ESCRT-III rings and spirals that purportedly drive MVB morphogenesis and abscission. These studies highlight unifying principles to ESCRT-III function, in particular: (1) the ordered assembly of the ESCRT-III monomers into a heteropolymer, (2) ESCRT-III as a dynamic complex, and (3) the role of the AAA ATPase Vps4 as a contributing factor in membrane scission. Mechanistic comparisons of ESCRT-III function in MVB morphogenesis and cytokinesis suggest common mechanisms in membrane remodeling.
authors.affiliation: Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Weill Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
authors.forename: William Mike
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Henne
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stenmark
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Emr
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology*; D048749:Cytokinesis / Q000502:physiology*; D056827:Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D057146:Multivesicular Bodies / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D056827:Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport