Three possible fates for an endocytosed molecule that has reached the endosome are:
- Recycling: The molecule may be sorted and transported back to the cell membrane via transport vesicles for reuse.
- Degradation: The molecule, along with any other unwanted material, may be transported to lysosomes for degradation.
- Transcytosis: The molecule may be transported across the cell and released at another location on the cell surface.