biostudies-literatureMayor SWellcome Trust603-12https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7617177biostudies-literatureUnknown8(8)There are numerous ways that endocytic cargo molecules may be internalized from the surface of eukaryotic cells. In addition to the classical clathrin-dependent mechanism of endocytosis, several pathways that do not use a clathrin coat are emerging. These pathways transport a diverse array of cargoes and are sometimes hijacked by bacteria and viruses to gain access to the host cell. Here, we review our current understanding of various clathrin-independent mechanisms of endocytosis and propose a classification scheme to help organize the data in this complex and evolving field.Nature reviews. Molecular cell biologyPathways of clathrin-independent endocytosis.PMC7617177056727Mayor SPagano REfalsePathways of clathrin-independent endocytosis.There are numerous ways that endocytic cargo molecules may be internalized from the surface of eukaryotic cells. In addition to the classical clathrin-dependent mechanism of endocytosis, several pathways that do not use a clathrin coat are emerging. These pathways transport a diverse array of cargoes and are sometimes hijacked by bacteria and viruses to gain access to the host cell. Here, we review our current understanding of various clathrin-independent mechanisms of endocytosis and propose a classification scheme to help organize the data in this complex and evolving field.2007-01-01T00:00:00Z2007 Aug2025-04-22T10:47:36.789Z2025-04-05T23:41:01.943ZS-EPMC76171771760966810.1038/nrm2216