The direction of actin polymerization for vesicle fission suggested from membranes tubulated by the EFC/F-BAR domain protein FBP17

Actin polymerization mediated by the Arp2/3 complex is essential for membrane tubulation, vesicle formation and fission during clathrin-dependent endocytosis. However, the mechanism by which the polymerizing actin filaments participate in vesicle formation and fission has remained unclear. Our analyses revealed that actin polymerization occurs toward FBP17-induced membrane tubules, which are considered to be generated during endocytic vesicle formation. The tubulated membrane between the future endocytic vesicle and the plasma membrane is proposed to form an arc upon scission of the endocytic vesicle. Therefore, the actin polymerization toward the tubulated membrane may be gradually converted to those toward both the vesicles and the plasma membrane.