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From Proteopedia

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Contents 1 Generalities 2 Function 3 Relevance 4 Structural highlights 5 References

Generalities

Clathrin is a 3 legged protein with 3 heavy chains and 3 light chains. It has a triskelion shape and can self-assembled into a polyhedral structure arround vesicles of eukaryotic cells. A tryskelion consists of three bent limbs radiating from a centre.

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Function

Communication beetween the different compartiments of eukaryotic cell and plasma membrane is allowed by vesicles, which convey molecules within the cytoplasm. Clathrin are involved in the formation of those vesicles in a process named clathrin mediated endocytosis. Clathrins form a skeleton around the vesicle once several protein are assembled. The coated vesicles like so formed will then lose their round protein skeleton after their departure from the initial compartment because the clathrin cage is dismantled. This phenomena proceeds through five stages: initiation, cargo selection, coat assembly, scission and uncoating. During the cargo selection and the initiation, clathrins polymerize into hexagons and pentagons. The ratio between these two shapes dependents of the cells' curve.

Relevance

Structural highlights

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References

Molecular mechanism and physiological functions of clathrin‑mediated endocytosisVOLUME 12 | AUGUST 2011 Harvey T. McMahon and Emmanuel Boucrot VOLUME 12 | AUGUST 2011