Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Visualizing Clathrin-mediated Endocytosis of G Protein-coupled Receptors at Single-event Resolution via TIRF Microscopy
Published on: October 20, 2014
Double-membrane gap junction internalization requires the clathrin-mediated endocytic machinery
Anna M Gumpert1, Joseph S Varco, Susan M Baker
1Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
Abstract:
Direct cell-cell communication mediated by plasma membrane-spanning gap junction (GJ) channels is vital to all aspects of cellular life. Obviously, GJ intercellular communication (GJIC) requires precise regulation, and it is known that controlled biosynthesis and degradation, and channel opening and closing (gating) are exploited. We discovered that cells internalize GJs in response to various stimuli. Here, we report that GJ internalization is a clathrin-mediated endocytic process that utilizes the vesicle-coat protein clathrin, the adaptor proteins adaptor protein complex 2 and disabled 2, and the GTPase dynamin. To our knowledge, we are first to report that the endocytic clathrin machinery can internalize double-membrane vesicles into cells.
Related Concept Videos
Clathrin Coated Vesicles
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
Gap Junctions
Gap Junctions

