ClathrinBeschichtungen

Clathrin Coatings, also known as clathrin cages or clathrin-coated vesicles, are dynamic structures found in eukaryotic cells that play a crucial role in various cellular processes, including endocytosis, exocytosis, and intracellular transport. These structures are composed of clathrin, an adapter protein that assembles into a polyhedral lattice, and associated proteins such as adaptins, which facilitate the recruitment of cargo molecules.

Clathrin-coated vesicles form at the plasma membrane or within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and are involved in the internalization of extracellular ligands and the retrieval of membrane proteins from the cell surface. The assembly of clathrin cages is a highly regulated process that involves the recruitment of clathrin to specific sites on the membrane, followed by the polymerization of clathrin into a cage-like structure. This process is mediated by the interaction of clathrin with adaptin complexes, which bind to specific motifs on the cargo molecules.

Once formed, clathrin-coated vesicles bud from the membrane and are transported to their destination, where they fuse with the target membrane and release their cargo. The disassembly of clathrin cages is a tightly controlled process that ensures the proper recycling of clathrin and associated proteins. Mutations in clathrin or associated proteins have been linked to various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, highlighting the importance of clathrin-coated vesicles in maintaining cellular homeostasis.