Role of actin in EndoA3-mediated endocytosis of CD166

In mammalian cells, we studied the way a protein called CD166 is removed from the cell surface by endocytosis. In this study, we discovered new molecular components of the mechanism that drives CD166 endocytosis. First, we observed that the skeleton of the cell, composed of actin molecules, appears to assist endophilin-A3 in the formation of the membrane pits that engulf CD166. Secondly, we discovered that the protein Rac1 orchestrates the action of actin in this process. Finally, we observed that the release of vesicles containing CD166 inside the cell is assisted by another component of the cellular skeleton – the microtubules – and motor proteins called kinesins. This work as been performed by François Tyckaert and was co-supervised by Henri-François Renard.

See the full paper in Journal of Cell Science

Research highlight in JCS

See also a nice interview of François Tyckaert