ESCRT-dependent sorting in late endosomes

Abstract

The sorting of plasma membrane (PM) proteins for degradation involves their internalization by endocytosis, delivery to endosomes, and sorting into intraluminal vesicles (ILV) of late endosomes/multivesicular bodies (MVBs). The sorting of cargo proteins into ILVs depends on protein complexes named ESCRT-0 to III (Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport) and the SKD1/Vps4p (Suppressor of K+ Transport Growth Defect 1/Vacuolar protein sorting (vps) 4). These complexes associate with ubiquitinated cargo proteins, mediate their accumulation, sorting, and deformation of the endosomal membrane. With the exception of ESCRT-0, this machinery is well conserved across eukaryotes, including plants. Here, we discuss the general mechanism of MVB sorting mediated by ESCRT proteins with a special emphasis on what is known about these cellular processes in plants.