The role of unconventional myosins in Dictyostelium endocytosis

Dictyostelium discoideum is a simple eukaryote amenable to detailed molecul ar studies of the endocytic processes phagocytosis and macropinocytosis. Bo th the actin cytoskeleton acid associated myosin motors are well-described and a range of mutants are now available that enable characterization of th e role of the cytoskeleton in a range of cellular functions. Molecular gene tic studies have uncovered roles fur two different classes of Dictyostelium unconventional myosins in endocytosis. The class I myosins contribute to b oth macropinocytosis and phagocytosis by playing a general role in controll ing actin-dependent manipulations of the actin-rich cortex. A class VII myo sin has been shown to be important for phagocytosis. This brief review summ arizes what is known about the role of these different myosins in both flui d and particle uptake in this system.