3D model of clathrin coating

3D model of clathrin coating of the plasma membrane inner surface during pynocytosis. The basket structure is made of three-legged clathrin polypeptides that are recruited as a hexameric complex, or the triskelion. The latter binds the membrane by means of adaptor protein (not shown). Clathrin network assembling results in the formation of a vesicle. Upon vesicle completion it uncoats and triskelions can be used for the generation of new vesicles.

Network of triskelions linked to each other forms a cage around the membrane with a hexagonal or pentagonal pattern. Depending on hexagon:pentagon ratio a network can be flat or curved. The picture demonstrates the structure with 36 triskelions (one of the fewest quantities possible). 36 triskelions of the structure shape 12 pentagons and 8 hexagons.

This 3D structure has been obtained using the combination of cryo-electronic microscopy and crystallography.