ADTB1: Proteins and Enzymes

Membrane vesicle formation is a process required for the endocytosis and biosynthesis of various secreted and membrane bound proteins. Clathrin is a protein which assembles into a polyhedral network on the cell membrane as the membrane invaginates, forming a coated pit which is essential to endocytosis. Clathrin is composed of three polypeptides, a 180 kDa heavy chain and two 32-38 kDa light chains which combine to create a distinct three-legged triskelion. It is this morphology which allows Clathrin to form its unique polyhedral network.