Endocytosis Coated pits

Gene delivery systems can distribute plasmids to the desired target cells, after which the plasmid is internalized into the cell by a number of mechanisms, such as adsorptive endocytosis, receptor-mediated endocytosis, micropinocytosis, caveolae-mediated endocytosis and phagocytosis (see Section 1.3.3.2). The intracellular fate of plasmids depends on the means by which they are internalized and translocated to the cytoplasms and then to the nucleus. In coated-pit endocytosis, DNA complexes first bind to the cell surface, then migrate to clathrin-coated pits about 150 ran in diameter and are internalized from the plasma membrane to form coated vesicles. 

LDL binds specifically to lipoprotein receptors on the cell surface. The resulting complexes become clustered in regions of the plasma membrane called coated pits. Endocytosis follows (see Fig. 13-3). The clathrin coat dissociates from the endocytic vesicles, which may recycle the receptors to the plasma membrane or fuse with lysosomes. The lysosomal proteases and lipases then catalyze the hydrolysis of the LDL-receptor complexes the protein is degraded completely to amino acids, and cholesteryl esters are hydrolyzed to free cholesterol and fatty acid. New LDL receptors are synthesized on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and are subsequently reintroduced into the plasma membrane. The cholesterol is incorporated in small amounts into the endoplasmic reticulum membrane or may be stored after esterification as cholesteryl ester in the cytosol this occurs if the supply of cholesterol exceeds its utilization in membranes. Normally, only very small amounts of cholesteryl ester reside inside cells, and the majority of the free cholesterol is in the plasma membrane. 

AR endocytocsis was only partially blocked by inhibiting clathrin-coated pit endocytosis with hyperosmotic sucrose. A complete blockade of internalization was accomplished by treatment with filipin, an agent that inhibits caveolae-mediated internalization. These data suggest that the a2A-AR is internalized via both clathrin- and caveolae-mediated pathways and could account for the observations of DeGraff et al. (70) that noted only a modest effect of arrestin overexpression on a2A-AR endocytosis. 

A process in which a substance gains entry into a cell. Endocytic mechanisms are crucial for a variety of cellular functions such as the uptake of nutrients, regulation of cell surface expression of receptors, maintenance of cell polarity, and more. Receptor-mediated endocytosis via clathrin-coated pits is the most studied endocytic process, which is important for regulation of the time and magnitude of signals generated by a variety of cell-surface receptors. 

Figure 41 -15. Two types of endocytosis. An endocytotic vesicle (V) forms as a result of invagination of a portion of the plasma membrane. Fluid-phase endocytosis (A) is random and nondirected. Receptor-mediated endocytosis (B) is selective and occurs in coated pits (CP) lined with the protein clathrin (the fuzzy material). Targeting is provided by receptors (black symbols) specific for a variety of molecules. This results in the formation of a coated vesicle (CV).

Extracellular ligands (hormones, neurotrophins, carrier protein, adhesion molecules, small molecules, etc.) will bind to specific transmembrane receptors. This binding of specific ligand induces the concentration of the receptor in coated pits and internalization via clathrin-coated vesicles. One of the best studied and characterized examples of RME is the internalization of cholesterol by mammalian cells [69]. In the nervous system, there are a plethora of different membrane receptors that bind extracellular molecules, including neurotrophins, hormones and other cell modulators, being the best studied examples. This type of clathrin-mediated endocytosis is an amazingly efficient process, capable of concentrating... 

In the classic model of synaptic vesicle recycling in nerve terminals, synaptic vesicles fuse completely with the plasma membrane and the integrated vesicle proteins move away from the active zone to adjacent membrane regions (Fig. 9-9A). In these regions, clathrin-mediated synaptic vesicle endocytosis takes place rapidly after neurotransmitter release (within seconds) [64]. The process starts with the formation of a clathrin-coated pit that invaginates toward the interior of the cell and pinches off to form a clathrin-coated vesicle [83]. Coated vesicles are transient organelles that rapidly shed their coats in an ATP/chaperone dependent process. Once uncoated, the recycled vesicle fuses with a local EE for reconstitution as a synaptic vesicle. Subsequently, the recycled synaptic vesicle is filled with neurotransmitter and it returns to the release site ready for use. This may be the normal pathway when neurotransmitter release rates are modest. Clathrin/ EE-based pathways become essential when synaptic proteins have been incorporated into the presynaptic plasma membrane. 

In most cells, the major route for endocytosis is mediated by the molecule clathrin. Clathrin is a major protein component of the cytoplasmic face of intracellular organelles, called coated vesicles and coated pits. A variety of mono- and polyclonal anti-clathrin antibodies are purchasable from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, inc. (http //www.scbt.com/table-clathrin.html). 

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis involves the internalization of transmembrane receptor-ligand complexes stimulating the formation of a coated pit that eventually buds off the membrane to form an intracellular endocy-totic vesicle. This process is dependent on the protein clathrin that is recruited to the membrane and forms a cage-like structure around the forming pit. Internalization via clathrin-dependent pathway allows the uptake of particles approximately 120nm in size (63-65). Once internalized, the clathrin coating disassociates from the endosome to be recycled and to allow the endosome to fuse with an intracellular compartment, usually a... 

Clathrin-mediated (or clathrin-dependent) endocytosis normally occurs at specialized sites, where complex structures called coated pits are assembled in order to concentrate surface proteins for internalization. The coat consists of many different proteins that are needed for stabilization of both the pit and the forming of the clathrin-coated vesicle. The two most abundant proteins found within these structures are clathrin and the adaptor protein AP-2 (9). 

After attachment to the cell surface, the virus is located in clathrin-coated pits and is further internalized by an endocytosis similar to the receptor-mediated endocytosis of LDL (114,115). 

Figure 8 Ubiquitin and endocytosis. Receptors on the plasma membrane undergo monoubiquitination as a result of ligand (e.g., neurotransmitter). Ubiquitinated receptors bind to proteins called epsins, which in turn interact with adaptor proteins (adaptin) bound to clathrin-coated pits. Ubiquitination also functions to sort the internalized membrane protein into early endosomes, which directs them to degradation by lysosome through the multivesicular body. If ubiquitin from the endocytosed receptors is removed by an UBP, the receptor recycles back to the membrane. Proteasome inhibitors block endocytotic degradation of some proteins such as glutamate receptor subunits indicating a possible role for the proteasome.

VLDLs, IDLs, and LDLs are closely related to one another. VLDLs formed in the liver (see p. 312) transport triacylglycerols, cholesterol, and phospholipids to other tissues. Like chylomicrons, they are gradually converted into IDL and LDL under the influence of lipoprotein lipase [1]. This process is also stimulated by HDL. Cells that have a demand for cholesterol bind LDL through an interaction between their LDL receptor and ApoB-100, and then take up the complete particle through receptor-mediated endocytosis. This type of transport is mediated by depressions in the membrane ( coated pits"), the interior of which is lined with the protein clathrin. After LDL binding, clathrin promotes invagination of the pits and pinching off of vesicles ( coated vesicles"). The clathrin then dissociates off and is reused. After fusion of the vesicle with ly-sosomes, the LDL particles are broken down (see p. 234), and cholesterol and other lipids are used by the cells. 

Receptor clustering also accounts for receptor internalization. The basis of this phenomenon is endocytosis via coated pits. These pits are apparent in electron micrographs as membrane invaginations coated on the inner (cytoplasmic) side with a web of the protein clathrine. It has been suggested that certain receptor proteins have structural domains that allow them to react with coated pits. Receptor clusters in coated pits are rapidly endocytosed, resulting in the formation of vesicles (endosomes) that are then... 

ACh receptors are destroyed by endocytosis via coated pits and proteolysis in lysosomes. In myasthenia gravis, the receptors are crosslinked by antireceptor antibodies, which facilitate the rate-limiting endocytosis step receptor destmction occurs in less than half the normal time, resulting in net receptor loss. The chronic disease is characterized clinically by such muscular weakness and abnormal fatigue that patients cannot even keep their eyes open. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors increase the ACh concentration and excitation of the neuromuscular junction, resulting in increased strength and endurance. As expected, AChE inhibitors are also potent curare antidotes because the increased ACh levels displace the blocker more readily. 

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