Junctions between cortical endoplasmic reticulum (cER) and the plasma membrane are a subtle but ubiquitous feature in mammalian cells; however, very little is known about the functions and molecular interactions that are associated with neuronal ER-plasma-membrane junctions. Here, we report that Kv2
Kv2.1 surface clusters in transfected HEK cells and hippocampal neurons are shown to be trafficking platforms involved in potassium channel movement to and from the cell surface. This work is the first to define stable cell surface sites for ion channel delivery and retrieval at the cell surface.
This study investigates the hypothesis that trafficking of membrane proteins occurs at plasma membrane (PM) domains adjacent to underlying cortical endoplasmic reticulum (cER). The authors observe exocytosis of transferrin receptor and vesicular stomatitis virus G-protein to occur preferentially (>80%) at cER-enriched PM domains. They also report a preferential (>80%) localization of clathrin-coated pits at these domains.
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