Potocytosis

Potocytosis is a type of receptor-mediated endocytosis in which small molecules are transported across the plasma membrane of a cell. The molecules are transported by caveolae (rather than clathrin-coated vesicles) and are deposited directly into the cytosol.[1]

Like other types of receptor-mediated endocytosis, potocytosis typically begins when an extracellular ligand binds to a receptor protein on the surface of a cell, thus beginning the formation of an endocytotic vesicle. The ligand is usually of low molecular mass (e.g. vitamins), but some larger molecules (such as lipids) can also act as ligands.[1][2]

References

  1. 1 2 Widmaier, Eric P.; Hershel Raff; Kevin T. Strang (2008). Vander's Human Physiology, 11th Ed. McGraw-Hill. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-07-304962-5.
  2. Mineo, C.; Anderson, R.G. (August 2001). "Potocytosis. Robert Feulgen Lecture.". Histochem Cell Biology 116 (2): 109–18. doi:10.1007/s004180100289. PMID 11685539.


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