Vesicular trafficking

Vesicular trafficking is an essential cellular process in which biomolecules (such as proteins, lipids, hormones, and neurotransmitters) are transported within small, membrane-bound sacs called vesicles[1][3][5][6][7][8]. This process involves the budding of vesicles from donor membranes (e.g., the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus), their targeted transport through the cytoplasm (often along cytoskeletal tracks using motor proteins like kinesin and dynein), and their fusion with specific target membranes[1][3][5][6]. Vesicular trafficking ensures the correct localization, secretion, and recycling of critical molecules and is orchestrated by a network of proteins, including coat proteins (clathrin, COPI, COPII), Rab GTPases, SNARE proteins, and motor proteins[3][4][9]. Disruption in this process underlies various diseases, particularly those affecting the nervous and respiratory systems, and is central to normal cell physiology, metabolism, and intercellular communication[3][5][7].

Other names

Vesicle traffickingVesicle transportMembrane vesicle trafficking