New Video Posted: Understanding Endosomes: The Cell's Sorting House | Quick Science Explanation

In my video on endosomes - Understanding Endosomes: The Cell's Sorting House | Quick Science Explanation - I look at the role of the endosomal system in cells.

Endosomes are cellular compartments that sort and traffic proteins from the Golgi apparatus and the plasma membrane. They are formed by vesicle fusion and are divided into three types

• Early endosomes - receive proteins and decide their next destination
• Recycling endosomes - return proteins to the plasma membrane either immediately (constitutive pathway) or based on signals (regulated pathway).
• Late endosomes - forward proteins to lysosomes or back to the Golgi.

The endosomal system relies on specific signals on proteins to direct their correct routing, ensuring efficient cellular function.

If you would like to say thanks for the video, then please feel free to buy me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drnickm

Blog Bonus: Free information sheet summarising the video and defining the key terms - download.

New Video Posted: Understanding the Endoplasmic Reticulum: Rough vs Smooth ER and Protein Import

In the video Understanding the Endoplasmic Reticulum: Rough vs Smooth ER and Protein Import, I look at the smooth and rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), and discuss how proteins are targeted to and imported into the ER.

The ER is a vital cellular structure with two types: rough ER (RER) and smooth ER (SER). The RER is covered in ribosomes and is essential for protein production. Proteins are synthesised and threaded into the ER lumen via a process involving signal recognition particles (SRP) and the Sec61 complex. 

Membrane-spanning proteins are produced at the RER by using various signal sequences that direct their insertion into or through the membrane. The ER also plays a role in N-linked glycosylation, adding N-linked oligosaccharides to proteins and in quality control, ensuring proteins are correctly folded and functional. 

In contrast, the SER lacks ribosomes, synthesises lipids, and forms vesicles for transporting proteins and lipids to the Golgi apparatus.

If you would like to say thanks for the video, then please feel free to buy me a coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/drnickm

Blog Bonus: Free information sheet summarising the video and defining the key terms - download.