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Related Concept Videos

Pinocytosis00:38

Pinocytosis

Cells use energy-requiring bulk transport mechanisms to transfer large particles or large numbers of small particles into or out of the cell. The cells envelop the particles in spherical membranes called vesicles or vacuoles. Vesicles that transport material into the cell are built from the cell membrane. These vesicles encapsulate external molecules and transport them into the cell in a process called endocytosis.
Pinocytosis ("cellular drinking") is one of three main types of endocytosis. In...
Pinocytosis00:43

Pinocytosis

Cells use energy-requiring bulk transport mechanisms to transfer large particles, or large amounts of small particles, into or out of the cell. The cells envelop the particles in spherical membranes called vesicles or vacuoles. Vesicles that transport material into the cell are built from the cell membrane. These vesicles encapsulate external molecules and transport them into the cell in a process called endocytosis.
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis01:20

Receptor-mediated Endocytosis

Receptor-mediated endocytosis is when bulk amounts of specific molecules are imported into a cell after binding to cell surface receptors. The molecules bound to these receptors are taken into the cell through inward folding of the cell surface membrane, which is eventually pinched off into a vesicle within the cell. Structural proteins, such as clathrin, coat the budding vesicle.
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis01:38

Receptor-mediated Endocytosis

Overview
Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis01:20

Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis

Receptor-mediated endocytosis is when bulk amounts of specific molecules are imported into a cell after binding to cell surface receptors. The molecules bound to these receptors are taken into the cell through inward folding of the cell surface membrane, which is eventually pinched off into a vesicle within the cell. Structural proteins, such as clathrin, coat the budding vesicle.
Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis of LDL
One well-characterized example of receptor-mediated endocytosis is the...
Phagocytosis00:41

Phagocytosis

Cells pull particles inward and engulf them in spherical vesicles in an energy-requiring process called endocytosis. Phagocytosis ("cellular eating") is one of three major types of endocytosis. Cells use phagocytosis to take in large objects, such as other cells (or their debris), bacteria, and even viruses.
The objective of phagocytosis is often destruction. Cells use phagocytosis to eliminate unwelcome visitors, like pathogens (e.g., viruses and bacteria). Many immune system cells, including...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Visualizing Membrane Ruffle Formation using Scanning Electron Microscopy
08:05

Visualizing Membrane Ruffle Formation using Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: May 27, 2021

Virus entry by macropinocytosis.

Jason Mercer1, Ari Helenius

  • 1ETH Zurich, Institute of Biochemistry, Schafmattsrasse 18, ETH Hoenggerberg, Zurich 8093, Switzerland.

Nature Cell Biology
|May 1, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Viruses hijack host cell macropinocytosis for entry. This process involves virus particles triggering cell signaling pathways to form large vacuoles for internalization into the cytoplasm.

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Measuring the pH, Redox Chemistries, and Degradative Capacity of Macropinosomes using Dual-Fluorophore Ratiometric Microscopy
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Measuring the pH, Redox Chemistries, and Degradative Capacity of Macropinosomes using Dual-Fluorophore Ratiometric Microscopy

Published on: August 19, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Visualizing Membrane Ruffle Formation using Scanning Electron Microscopy
08:05

Visualizing Membrane Ruffle Formation using Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: May 27, 2021

Measuring the pH, Redox Chemistries, and Degradative Capacity of Macropinosomes using Dual-Fluorophore Ratiometric Microscopy
07:31

Measuring the pH, Redox Chemistries, and Degradative Capacity of Macropinosomes using Dual-Fluorophore Ratiometric Microscopy

Published on: August 19, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites requiring host cell machinery for replication.
  • Viral entry into host cells often utilizes host cell endocytic pathways.
  • Macropinocytosis, a cellular process for fluid uptake, is exploited by various viruses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms of macropinocytosis.
  • To describe the role of macropinocytosis in viral entry into host cells.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles on macropinocytosis and viral entry.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways and cellular machinery involved in macropinocytosis.
  • Examination of virus families known to utilize macropinocytosis.

Main Results:

  • Viruses activate host cell signaling pathways to induce actin-mediated membrane ruffling and blebbing.
  • Virus particles are internalized via large vacuoles (macropinosomes) formed at the plasma membrane.
  • Viral capsids or particles penetrate the cytosol through the macropinosome membrane.

Conclusions:

  • Macropinocytosis is a significant route for viral entry into vertebrate and insect cells.
  • Understanding macropinocytosis provides insights into viral pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.