clathrin-coated pit

clathrin-coated pit

[¦klath·rən ‚kōd·əd ′pit] (cell and molecular biology) A partially invaginated membrane structure (bud or pit) involved in receptor-mediated endocytosis consisting of a cluster of receptor proteins attached on the cytosolic side by means of adaptin molecules to the protein clathrin, which forms a lattice-shaped coating. Complete invagination of the pit and release from the membrane results in a clathrin-coated vesicle containing cargo molecules.