You can go your own way: SNX-BAR coat complexes direct traffic at late endosomes

The endolysosomal network consists of highly dynamic membrane-bound compartments that control subcellular degradative and recycling processes. A conserved family of endosomal coat complexes known as SNX-BARs drive the formation of tubular membrane transport carriers for cargo retrieval. Whereas SNX1-related SNX-BARs were previously thought to rely on their association with the retromer complex to recognize cargo, recent work shows this class of SNX-BARs can directly bind and deliver cargo. In this review, we examine the retromer-independent roles of SNX-BAR proteins in yeast and metazoans and explore their functional overlap with endosomal sorting complexes and accessory factors. We also discuss new work that highlights the role of the disordered N-terminal regions of SNX-BARs in complex assembly and function.

Automated summary

The endolysosomal network is a dynamic membrane structure that controls cellular degradation and recycling. SNX-BAR proteins, a family of endosomal coat complexes, can directly recognize and deliver cargo without the need for association with retromer complex. This review also investigates their functional overlap with other complexes and factors.