Membrane curvature induced by proximity of anionic phospholipids can initiate endocytosis

Abstract

The plasma membrane is enriched in phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) mostly localized at the inner leaflet, which is predicted to induce membrane curvature. Here the authors show that membrane curvature induced by the proximity of anionic phospholipids can induce endocytosis and that cholesterol limits spontaneous curvature.