Measuring the elasticity of clathrin-coated vesicles via atomic force microscopy.
Using a new scheme based on atomic force microscopy (AFM), we investigate mechanical properties of clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs). CCVs are multicomponent protein and lipid complexes of approximately 100 nm diameter that are implicated in many essential cell-trafficking processes. Our AFM imaging resolves clathrin lattice polygons and provides height deformation in quantitative response to AFM-substrate compression force. We model CCVs as multilayered elastic spherical shells and, from AFM measurements, estimate their bending rigidity to be 285 +/- 30 k(B)T, i.e., approximately 20 times that of either the outer clathrin cage or inner vesicle membrane. Further analysis reveals a flexible coupling between the clathrin coat and the membrane, a structural property whose modulation may affect vesicle biogenesis and cellular function.
Jin
Albert J
AJ
Division of Bioengineering and Physical Science, Office of Research Services, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Prasad
Kondury
K
Smith
Paul D
PD
Lafer
Eileen M
EM
Nossal
Ralph
R
D022163:Clathrin-Coated Vesicles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004548:Elasticity; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008954:Models, Biological