Membrane Trafficking and Vesicle Fusion: Post-Palade Era Researchers Win the Nobel Prize

摘要

The functions of the eukaryotic cell rely on membrane- boundcompartments called organelles. Each of these possesses distinctmembrane composition and unique function. In the1970’s, during George Palade’s time, it was unclear how theseorganelles communicate with each other and perform theirbiological functions. The elegant research work of James ERothman, Randy W Schekman and Thomas C Südhof identifiedthe molecular machinery required for membrane trafficking,vesicle fusion and cargo delivery. Further, they alsoshowed the importance of these processes for biological function.Their novel findings helped to explain several biologicalphenomena such as insulin secretion, neuron communicationand other cellular activities. In addition, their work providedclues to cures for several neurological, immunological andmetabolic disorders. This research work laid the foundationto the field of molecular cell biology and these post-Paladeinvestigators were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology orMedicine in 2013.