Schematic representation of the formation of a clathrin-coated vesicle. The process starts with the recruitment of AP2 complexes (green) to the inner surface of the plasma membrane, which in turn capture a three-legged clathrin triskelion. The curvature of the underlying membrane increases as assembly of the lattice proceeds by the recruitment of additional AP2 and clathrin triskelions, until scission results in a coated vesicle formation.

[Courtesy of Ema Cocucci, Janet Iwasa, and Tom Kirchhausen.]