Clathrin light chain A (CLTA)

Clathrin light chain A (CLTA) is a key regulatory subunit of the clathrin coat complex, which forms clathrin-coated pits and vesicles responsible for receptor-mediated endocytosis and intracellular trafficking. Clathrin lattices are built from triskelions, each comprising three clathrin heavy chains and three light chains (including CLTA). While heavy chains provide structural support, CLTA regulates assembly and disassembly of the clathrin lattice, influencing vesicle formation, rigidity, and selectivity. CLTA interacts with actin-binding proteins (Hip1/Hip1R) and myosin VI, linking endocytic machinery to the cytoskeleton and facilitating vesicle budding especially under conditions of high membrane tension or in polarized cells. CLTA’s role is critical for proper internalization of cargo, including nutrients and signaling receptors, and it is co-opted by several pathogens for cell entry. However, CLTA itself is not currently considered a direct therapeutic target—the functional consequences of its perturbation are primarily of interest in basic research and cell biology.

Other names

CLTALcaLCAClathrin, light polypeptide (Lca)clathrin light chain A