NBS-nytt
11.06.2018
The ESCRTs are a group of versatile protein complexes. These complexes can constrict and abscise cytosol filled membrane stalks in the cell. This spring, around 100 researchers gathered to discuss the different aspects of ESCRT biology in the beautiful and majestic Royal Holloway outside of London.
The ESCRT-machinery (Endosomal Complexes Required for Transport) consists of three protein complexes; ESCRT-I, -II and III. Along with a number of associated proteins, they make up a machinery that can constrict and abscise membranes. ESCRT-I, -II and an associated protein called ALIX can recruit the ESCRT-III complex. The ESCRT-III complex make spirals that contracts. The ESCRT-proteins are conserved throughout evolution. They are shown to play important roles in key cellular processes in both humans, fruit flies and even in our distant evolutionary relatives the archeas.
The conference I had the opportunity to attend was called “New horizons in ESCRT biology". The conference was divided into five different sessions, focusing on five different parts of the ESCRT biology. The first day was titled “Viral exploitation of ESCRTs", and the talks were about the role of ESCRTs in budding of enveloped retroviruses. For more than ten years, we have known that the viruses can hijack the ESCRT-machinery to get out of an infected cell, but it is still many unanswered questions in this field.
Gå til medietThe conference I had the opportunity to attend was called “New horizons in ESCRT biology". The conference was divided into five different sessions, focusing on five different parts of the ESCRT biology. The first day was titled “Viral exploitation of ESCRTs", and the talks were about the role of ESCRTs in budding of enveloped retroviruses. For more than ten years, we have known that the viruses can hijack the ESCRT-machinery to get out of an infected cell, but it is still many unanswered questions in this field.
