Lipid domains in the endocytic pathway

Whereas endosomes connect with both exocytic and endocytic organelle via ex tensive lipid and protein traffic, each endosome has a distinct lipid and p rotein composition. Recent observations suggest that different lipid membra ne domains exist even in the same endosome. These lipid domains, together w ith low pH milieu, may present a variety of micro-environments to cargo mol ecules. Evidence is accumulating which suggests that the alteration of thes e lipid microdomains may be involved in a number of pathological conditions .