Macromolecules can be transported into the cells by endocytosis, either by phagocytosis or by pinocytosis. Typically, phagocytosis involves the uptake of solid large particles mediated by cell-surface receptors, whereas pinocytosis takes up fluid and solutes. The synthesis of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 plays fundamental roles in all forms of endocytosis. Curiously, almost all eukaryotic cells have multiple isoforms of the kinases that synthesize these critical phosphatidylinositols. In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Namiko Tamura, Osamu Hazeki and co-workers report that the subunit p110α of the type I PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) is implicated in the phagocytosis and the pinocytosis of large molecules, whereas the receptor-mediated pinocytosis and micropinocytosis of small molecules do not seem to be controlled by this mechanism. The present commentary discusses recent literature that has begun to unravel why cells need so many phosphatidylinositol kinase isoforms, which were previously believed to be redundant.
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October 2009
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Commentary|
September 14 2009
Why do phosphatidylinositol kinases have so many isoforms?
Sang H. Min;
Sang H. Min
1Hematology-Oncology Division, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 421 Curie Blvd., Biomedical Research Building II/III, #912, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A.
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Charles S. Abrams
Charles S. Abrams
1
1Hematology-Oncology Division, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 421 Curie Blvd., Biomedical Research Building II/III, #912, Philadelphia, PA 19104, U.S.A.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email abrams@mail.med.upenn.edu).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
August 17 2009
Revision Received:
August 24 2009
Accepted:
August 24 2009
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Biochemical Society
2009
Biochem J (2009) 423 (1): e5–e8.
Article history
Received:
August 17 2009
Revision Received:
August 24 2009
Accepted:
August 24 2009
Connected Content
A correction has been published:
Specific role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110α in the regulation of phagocytosis and pinocytosis in macrophages
Citation
Sang H. Min, Charles S. Abrams; Why do phosphatidylinositol kinases have so many isoforms?. Biochem J 1 October 2009; 423 (1): e5–e8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20091274
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