Molecular evolution of the eukaryotic membrane-trafficking system

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The membrane-trafficking system is a key characteristic of eukaryotes (humans, plants, yeast, etc.) and one of the defining features that separates us from bacteria at a cellular level. It is responsible for the proper movement and final location of most of the material in our cells. It underlies not only brain activity, and hormone secretion in humans, but healthy plant growth, as well as normal cellular activity in a diverse array of single-celled organisms important for our economy and environment. Our understanding of how this cellular system works is derived from a small sample of experimental organisms: our understanding of how it evolved is only beginning to be explored. Nonetheless, evidence suggests that the membrane-trafficking system arose early-on in eukaryotic evolution, with the major protein families involved likely already having been present in our ancestors over one billion years ago. Detailed studies of individual protein families, particularly in the endocytic (uptake) arm of the pathway, are revealing information about specific events and mechanisms of how this cellular machinery evolved.