Intercalate or invaginate: PI(3,4,5)P3 governs a membrane constriction switch in cell shaping

Although contractile processes, from tissue invagination to cell intercalation, utilize diverse ratcheting mechanisms, little is known about how ratcheting becomes engaged at specific cell surfaces. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Maio et al. demonstrate that PI(3,4,5)P3 is a paramount regulator of the Sbf/RabGEF-Rab35 ratchet mechanism.