Accessory factors in clathrin-dependent synaptic vesicle endocytosis

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis is a special form of vesicle budding importan t for the internalization of receptors and extracellular ligands, for the r ecycling of plasma membrane components, and for the retrieval of surface pr oteins destined for degradation. In nerve terminals, clathrin-mediated endo cytosis is crucial for synaptic vesicle recycling. Recent structural studie s have provided molecular details of coat assembly. In addition, biochemica l and genetic studies have identified numerous accessory proteins that assi st the clathrin coat in its function at synapses and in other systems. This review summarizes these advances with a special focus on accessory factors and highlights new aspects of clathrin-mediated endocytosis revealed by th e study of these factors.