Forming Vesicles

You remember endocytosis right? Well, clathrin is responsible for the formation of vesicles during endocytosis. This protein coats the outside of the vesicle as it bubbles in the cell. Because of the structure of this protein, it’s able to form a soccer ball shaped mesh. Why this ball shape, you ask? Well, without clathrin, vesicles wouldn’t always form in a round shape. You can think of clathrin like a cookie mold, but you know, for vesicles. Own this cellular mold for yourself or give it to a friend. It makes an excellent gift for cell biologists, virologists, soccer enthusiasts, and starry-eyed pre-med students.