This book presents the functions and mechanisms of macropinocytosis, an actin-driven endocytic uptake process.

Key points, including the evolutionary origins of macropinocytosis and major signaling pathways that regulate this uptake mechanism, are highlighted. A wide-array of functions of macropinocytosis are described, including cellular metabolism, cell death, cell migration and antigen presentation. Macropinocytosis has recently been recognized as a critical pathway in disease pathology and treatment. Therefore, a broad overview of macropinocytosis will benefit clinicians, as well as translational and basic research scientists. Moreover, as one of the main clathrin-independent endocytic routes, compiling all the critical information about macropinocytosis in one collection, this book will also be helpful to educators and their students.

Part 1: Functions of Macropinocytosis

Chapter 1: Functional Diversity of Macropinocytosis
Chapter 2: Macropinocytosis and Cancer: From Tumor Stress to Signaling Pathways
Chapter 3: The amoebal model for micropinocytosis
Chapter 4: Extracellular ATP and macropinocytosis
Chapter 5: Macropinocytosis and Cell Migration: Don't drink an drive
Chapter 6: Macropinocytosis in phagocyte function and immunity
Part 2: Signaling Mechanisms Driving Macropinocytosis
Chapter 7: Roles of 3' Phosphoinositides in Macropinocytosis
Chapter 8: Signaling pathways that regulate macropinocytosis in mammalian cells
Chapter 9: Wnt, GSK3 and Macropinocytosis
Chapter 10: Kras addiction promotes cancer cell adapation in harsh microenvironment through micropinocytosis
Chapter 11: Kras-independent macropinocytosis in pancreatic cancer.