Enhancement of endocytosis due to aminophospholipid transport across the plasma membrane of living cells

Exogenous aminophospholipids were added to living cells to determine whether plasma membrane surface area asymmetry promotes vesicle formation during endocytosis. The endocytosis was found to be enhanced by the addition of phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylethanolamine, indicating that acceleration is not dependent on the lipid polar head group. Results also suggested that formation of endocytic vesicles is due to transient asymmetries in lipid concentration.