The signalling factor PI3K is a specific regulator of the clathrin-independent dynamin-dependent endocytosis of IL-2 receptors.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis is an essential process used by eukaryotic cells to internalise many molecules. Several clathrin-independent endocytic routes exist, but the molecular mechanism of each pathway remains to be uncovered. The present study focuses on a clathrin-independent dynamin-dependent pathway used by interleukin 2 receptors (IL-2R), essential players of the immune response.

Histone methylation by NUE, a novel nuclear effector of the intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis.

Sequence analysis of the genome of the strict intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis revealed the presence of a SET domain containing protein, proteins that primarily function as histone methyltransferases. In these studies, we demonstrated secretion of this protein via a type III secretion mechanism. During infection, the protein is translocated to the host cell nucleus and associates with chromatin.

Ectodomain shedding of interleukin-2 receptor beta and generation of an intracellular functional fragment.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) regulates different functions of various lymphoid cell subsets. These are mediated by its binding to the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) composed of three subunits (IL2-Ralpha, -beta, and -gamma(c)). IL-2Rbeta is responsible for the activation of several signaling pathways.

Pak1 phosphorylation enhances cortactin-N-WASP interaction in clathrin-caveolin-independent endocytosis.

Growing evidence indicates that kinases are central to the regulation of endocytic pathways. Previously, we identified p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) as the first specific regulator of clathrin- and caveolae-independent endocytosis used by the interleukin 2 receptor subunit (IL-2R). Here, we address the mechanism by which Pak1 regulates IL-2Rbeta endocytosis.