Signalling molecules and the regulation of intracellular transport

A variety of signalling molecules has been implicated over the past 8 years in the regulation of intracellular transport pathways. Those molecules include heterotrimeric GTP binding proteins, members of the protein kinase C family, and members of the Rho subfamily of small GTPases. Until recently, no common theme among the three classes of regulators was apparent. The finding that all three can influence the activity of phospholipase D (PLD), and the fact that members of the Arf subfamily of GTPases (with established roles in intracellular transport) are potent activators of PLD suggests the hypothesis that PLD is a focal point for integration of cellular responses to hormone signalling and for membrane homeostasis. Work during the past 2 years is beginning to uncover some transport pathways where PLD involvement is inferred. It is proposed that, if signalling is required to monitor and adjust transport rates to and from the various membrane organelles, the most economical way to achieve this would be to regulate recycling and allow the concentration of cargo receptors to determine forward transport. BioEssays 20:495–504, 1998. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.