Molecular function

Binding specifically to a substance (cargo) to deliver it to a transport vesicle. Cargo receptors span membranes (for instance the plasma membrane or the endoplasmic reticulum membrane), binding simultaneously to cargo molecules and coat adaptors, to efficiently recruit the cargo molecules to nascent vesicles.

Notes: (1) For receptors binding a molecule but coupled to a signal transduction pathway, consider instead the term 'signaling receptor activity ; GO:0038023' and its children. (2) Cargo receptors transport substances by vesicular transport, not by transmembrane transport. For transmembrane transporters, consider instead the term 'transmembrane transporter activity ; GO:0022857'.