From Flat to Curved Clathrin: Controlling a Plastic Ratchet

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is the primary mechanism eukaryotic cells use to internalize material. New imaging tools are revealing the nanoscale structural dynamics of single clathrin-coated sites. Recently, it has become clear that the structure and dynamics of clathrin - flat clathrin lattices and the transition to highly curved clathrin-coated vesicles - are adaptable and can follow many paths. Thus, understanding this dynamic plasticity will lead to insights into how one molecular machine can participate in multiple pathways and adapt to changing and diverse cellular environments. Here, we review recent studies that have directly addressed this structural plasticity. We discuss the structure of lattices, how clathrin lattices form, and which proteins or biophysical factors might regulate the transition between flat and curved lattices.