Green light for the secretory pathway

Since the advent of green-fluorescent protein (GFP) technology there has be en an explosion of interest in applying this molecule to cell biology. This review summarizes new insights in secretory membrane traffic obtained by t he use of GFP fusion proteins. Transport steps between the endoplasmic reti culum and the Golgi apparatus, intra-Golgi traffic, and transport from the Golgi to the plasma membrane are discussed. In addition, insights into the dynamics of the Golgi compartment in plant cells and in mitotic mammalian c ells have been included. We conclude that membrane traffic in the secretory pathway appears to be much more dynamic and diverse than previously though t and that GFP promises to be a powerful means to unravel these complex pro cesses.