clathrin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “clathrin” mean?
A specific type of protein involved in shaping cell membranes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific type of protein involved in shaping cell membranes.
A highly conserved protein that forms a polyhedral lattice or cage-like structure, crucial for the formation of coated vesicles during endocytosis and intracellular trafficking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical or orthographic differences. Pronunciations may vary slightly.
Connotations
None beyond its scientific meaning.
Frequency
Identical, extremely low frequency outside specialised literature in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “clathrin” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] is clathrin-dependent.Clathrin [VERBs] around the vesicle.[NOUN] recruits/assembles clathrin.Clathrin-mediated [NOUN]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clathrin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The adaptor proteins help to clathrin-coat the vesicle.
- The membrane begins to clathrinate prior to invagination.
American English
- The receptor complex is designed to clathrin-coat the pit.
- Proteins clathrinate the membrane to form a bud.
adjective
British English
- The clathrin-dependent pathway was inhibited.
- They observed a clathrin-like structure.
American English
- The clathrin-coated vesicle was isolated.
- We studied the clathrin-mediated process.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used exclusively in life sciences research papers, textbooks, and lectures on cell biology, biochemistry, or molecular medicine.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
The primary context. Central to discussions of cellular transport, membrane dynamics, and receptor internalisation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clathrin”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “clathrin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clathrin”
- Mispronouncing as /kleɪθrɪn/ or /kləθrɪn/.
- Using it as a general term for any protein.
- Incorrectly using it in non-scientific contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised scientific term used only in cell biology and related fields.
In very technical jargon, it can be used informally (e.g., 'to clathrin-coat'), but it is not standard. It is primarily a noun.
A vesicle is a small membrane-bound sack that transports materials. Clathrin is the specific protein that forms a cage-like coat on the outside of certain vesicles, helping to shape them.
No. It is only necessary for advanced students or professionals in the life sciences.
A specific type of protein involved in shaping cell membranes.
Clathrin is usually technical/scientific in register.
Clathrin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklaθrɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklæθrɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CLATtering sound as a protein LATtice forms a cage – CLATH-RIN.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MOLECULAR BASKET or SCAFFOLD that SHAPES and TRANSPORTS cellular cargo.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of clathrin in the cell?