Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
12:40
Visualizing Clathrin-mediated Endocytosis of G Protein-coupled Receptors at Single-event Resolution via TIRF Microscopy
Published on: October 20, 2014
Fishing for clathrin-coated pit nucleators.
1Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UPR 3082, Laboratoire d'Enzymologie et de Biochimie Structurales, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France. christien.merrifield@lebs.cnrs-gif.fr
Nature Cell Biology
|May 4, 2012
Summary
The protein Fcho, previously thought to initiate clathrin-coated pit formation, acts as a specific adaptor in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. This finding redefines its role in cellular processes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The protein Fcho (formin-like protein 2) was hypothesized to be a universal initiator for clathrin-coated pits.
- Clathrin-coated pits are essential for protein trafficking and endocytosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the precise function of Fcho in cellular processes.
- To determine if Fcho acts as a global nucleator or has a more specific role.
Main Methods:
- Utilized zebrafish embryos as a model system.
- Employed techniques to study protein function in vivo during embryonic development.
Main Results:
- Fcho's function was re-evaluated in the context of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling.
- Evidence suggests Fcho acts as a receptor-specific adaptor rather than a general nucleator of coated pits.
Conclusions:
- Fcho plays a specialized role as an adaptor in BMP signaling pathways.
- The proposed ubiquitous role of Fcho in clathrin-coated pit nucleation is not supported by these findings in zebrafish embryos.
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