Endocytosis
? mammalian cells take up extracellular material by a variety of
mechanisms collectively termed endocytosis
? implications of endocytosis in physiology:
? uptake of extracellular nutrients,
? cellular cholesterol homeostasis,
? regulation of hormonal response,
? maintenance of cell polarity,
? implications of endocytosis in pathology:
? entry of pathogens and toxins,
? neurogenerative diseases (Alzheimer, prion),