ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews dynein function in endosome/phagosome maturation with an emphasis on dynein recruitment, transport and regulation on the cargoes. It discusses an emerging connection between dynein and membrane lipids on the phagosome. This is an important area for future research because several pathogens “hijack” dynein by modulating the lipid content of phagosome membranes, and can thus survive in host immune cells. Endosomes/phagosomes are transported centripetally along microtubules during maturation. The chapter highlights how intracellular pathogens hijack and inhibit dynein-driven endosome and phagosome transport to survive inside cells. It focuses on the crucial role played by lipids in regulation of dynein driven endosome/phagosome transport. The dotted arrows indicate interaction between the endosomes and phagosomes whereas the dashed arrows show possible routes for EE maturation. The solid dark arrows mark the degradative route for endosome as well as phagosome processing. Lipid microdomains were suggested to form on phagosomes because of the localization of a microdomain marker protein Flotillin-1 on phagosomes.
