Synthetic Biology: Flipping the Switch on Clathrin‐Mediated Endocytosis Using Thermally Responsive Protein Microdomains (adv. Funct. Mater. 34/2014)

Elastin-like polypeptides can be expressed in eukaryotic cells in fusion with functional proteins. When heated, they assemble organelle-sized microdomains that sequester target complexes. On page 5340, J. A. MacKay and team demonstrate that, by fusion to clathrin-light chain, these microdomains co-localize and sequester clathrin heavy chain, which is necessary for clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Assembly rapidly and reversibly blocks internalization of G-protein coupled receptors. Image created by Isaac Mora.