Endosome Marker related Antibody Products

Endosomal marker antibodies are designed to detect the key endosomal targets reliably and facilitate the study of endosomal pathways, ensuring accurate results in cellular biology. Amerigo Scientific offers high-quality, extensive endosomal marker antibodies to enhance your scientific endeavors. Our antibody products offer excellent specificity and sensitivity, making them ideal for various applications.

Endosomes Overview

Endosomes are membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells that play a crucial role in the endocytic pathway. They form through the inward budding of the cell membrane during endocytosis, leading to the internalization of extracellular materials and membrane proteins. They serve as sorting compartments for molecules taken up from the cell surface. Endosomes regulate cellular nutrient uptake, receptor signaling, and membrane protein turnover. Additionally, endosomes play a crucial role in immune responses by processing antigens for presentation on major histocompatibility complexes (MHC). Their dynamic functions help maintain cellular homeostasis and support diverse cellular processes essential for organismal health.

Endosome Forms and Markers

Endosomes can be classified into three forms: early endosomes, late endosomes, and recycling endosomes. The difference between them lies in the time required for the endocytosed substances to arrive and different markers.

• Early Endosomes

Early endosomes form when endocytosed substances fuse with vesicles derived from the plasma membrane. They function as primary sorting stations, directing materials either for recycling back to the plasma membrane or for breakdown in late endosomes. Early endosomes mature into late endosomes involve the gradual acidification of the lumen, changes in protein composition, and membrane dynamics. Structurally, early endosomes are tubulovesicular with a mildly acidic environment.  Their structural composition includes various lipids, proteins, and enzymes essential for cargo sorting and trafficking. Key markers include Rab5, EEA1, and transferrin receptor.

• Late Endosomes

Late endosomes have a more acidic internal environment and often contain intraluminal vesicles. They function in the degradation pathway by fusing with lysosomes. Structurally, they are more spherical and contain lysosomal hydrolases and other degradative enzymes. Key markers include Rab7, Rab9, LAMP1, and M6PR.

• Recycling Endosomes

Recycling endosomes, located near the perinuclear region, return recycled materials to the plasma membrane. They contain receptors, channels, and associated proteins essential for recycling processes. Key markers include Rab11 and transferrin receptor.

Endosomal Pathways

Endosomes are central hubs in intracellular trafficking, connecting with three main compartments: the plasma membrane, the Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes. The plasma membrane bidirectional pathway involves endocytosis for internalization of substances and recycling pathways that return components to the membrane. The Golgi apparatus also maintains a bidirectional pathway with endosomes, facilitating the transport of newly synthesized proteins and lipids to endosomes and retrieving sorting receptors back to the Golgi. Finally, late endosomes connect to lysosomes in a unidirectional pathway, where they deliver cargo for degradation. These interconnected pathways ensure efficient cellular sorting, recycling, and degradation processes.

Fig.1 The endosomal pathways.¹

Amerigo Scientific provides antibodies targeting endosomal markers to help you visualize endosomes and study the morphology and dynamics of endosomes. Our antibodies have been validated in a variety of applications, covering a variety of species and isotypes. Popular endosomal marker targets include but are not limited to:

Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries or require assistance.