(noun. /Klaa-TH-RiN/)
by Autumn Coleman
What does it mean?
Clathrin is a protein that assists cells in endocytosis, a process where eukaryotic cells take in substances from the outside environment. Clathrin forms a lattice-like structure, similar to a basket, which helps shape and coat the membrane vesicles which are like bubbles. These coated vesicles then act as containers to bring in, transport, and recycle substances between membrane bound compartments within the cell.
How do I use it in a sentence?
“The formation of clathrin-coated vesicles is essential for the internalization of nutrients into the cell.”
Within a cell’s cytoplasm, A. Clathrin triskelion is a single clathrin “leg” as shown in B. Clathrin coat architecture begins to group with other legs and bind to a membrane surrounding the internal bubble of substances that will be brought in, transported, and/or recycled in a lattice-like structure. This structure fully coats the internal bubble which eventually forms into a complete bubble-vesicle and is pushed throughout the cell. Image source
Etymology
Originates from the Latin word “Clathrus” which means “lattice”
History of usage
Coined by Barabara Pearse in 1975.
Related terms
Protein, Coated Vesicles, Endocytosis, Intracellular Trafficking, Protein Sorting, Clathrin Triskelion, Dynamin
Misconceptions (about word usage)
- Clathrin is not limited to endocytosis. It has also been implicated in intracellular trafficking, protein sorting, and vesicle transportation within the cell.
- Clathrin is actually a complex made up of protein subunits that forms a three dimensional lattice structure.
Fields of study in which this word is commonly used
Cell Biology, Immunology, Virology.
