Receptorendocitózis

Receptorendocitózis is a form of endocytosis, a cellular process where cells absorb molecules by engulfing them. Specifically, receptorendocitózis involves the cell's plasma membrane binding to specific molecules, called ligands, that are present in the extracellular environment. These ligands must first bind to specialized proteins, known as receptors, which are embedded within the cell membrane. Once the ligand-receptor complex forms, it triggers a signaling cascade within the cell. This signaling leads to the invagination, or inward folding, of the cell membrane at the site of the receptor-ligand binding. This inward folding eventually pinches off to form a vesicle, a small sac-like structure, inside the cell. This vesicle contains the bound ligands and is then transported within the cell for further processing, such as degradation or transport to other cellular compartments. This mechanism allows cells to selectively internalize specific molecules that are crucial for various cellular functions, including nutrient uptake, immune responses, and signal transduction. It is a highly regulated process that ensures the efficient and targeted delivery of molecules into the cell.