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Updated: May 17, 2026

Live-cell Imaging of Endocytic Transport using Functionalized Nanobodies in Cultured Cells
Published on: October 17, 2025
Uptake of fluorescent nano beads into BY2-cells involves clathrin-dependent and clathrin-independent endocytosis
Vera Bandmann1, Jasmin Daniela Müller, Tim Köhler
1Plant Cell Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3-5, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
Abstract:
To follow endocytosis in BY-2 cells we made use of fluorescent nano beads. Beads with 20nm in diameter were internalised rapidly and accumulated partially in compartments also labelled by the endocytic marker FM4-64. Studies in BY-2 cells and protoplasts revealed that larger beads (100nm) were excluded from uptake into turgescent and plasmolysed cells while protoplasts were able to internalise beads with a diameter of up to 1000nm. Endocytosis of beads was only partially inhibited by the clathrin-specific inhibitor Ikarugamycin and strongly blocked by wortmannin. These results imply that uptake of beads involves clathrin-dependent and clathrin-independent endocytic mechanisms and supports the hypothesis that clathrin-independent endocytosis plays a general role in plants.
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