The mechanism of receptor-mediated endocytosis: more questions than answers

Bioessays. 1992 Sep;14(9):589-96. doi: 10.1002/bies.950140903.

Abstract

Receptor-mediated endocytosis occurs via clathrin-coated pits and is therefore coupled to the dynamic cycle of assembly and disassembly of the coat constituents. These coat proteins comprise part, but certainly not all, of the machinery involved in the recognition of membrane receptors and their selective packaging into transport vesicles for internalization. Despite considerable knowledge about the biochemistry of coated vesicles and purified coat proteins, little is known about the mechanisms of coated pit assembly, receptor-sorting and coated vesicle formation. Cell-free assays which faithfully reconstitute these events provide powerful new tools with which to elucidate the overall mechanism of receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Protein Complex alpha Subunits
  • Adaptor Protein Complex beta Subunits
  • Adaptor Protein Complex gamma Subunits
  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Clathrin / chemistry
  • Clathrin / metabolism
  • Coated Pits, Cell-Membrane / physiology*
  • Endocytosis / physiology*
  • HSC70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*

Substances

  • Adaptor Protein Complex alpha Subunits
  • Adaptor Protein Complex beta Subunits
  • Adaptor Protein Complex gamma Subunits
  • Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Clathrin
  • HSC70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSPA8 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Protein Kinases