Biochemical controls: intercellular communication (Introduction)

by David Turell , Friday, January 19, 2024, 19:10 (307 days ago) @ David Turell

In vesicles:

https://phys.org/news/2024-01-technique-insight-proteins-involved-cellular.html

"One way that cells communicate with one another is through the secretion and uptake of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs convey a multitude of cargoes, including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Their uptake affects the function of recipient cells by influencing signaling processes and gene expression.

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"'Unlike traditional techniques that tag EVs with fluorescent proteins or use microscopy, our method provides a global view of proteins involved in EV uptake and interactions within recipient cells," says Imami.

"By identifying the biotin-tagged proteins using biochemical enrichment and mass spectrometry, researchers can glean clues into the molecular mechanisms underlying EV uptake.

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"The researchers identified more than 450 biotinylated recipient proteins. They included well-known ones involved in the process by which cells engulf external substances to bring them in. The team also found proteins involved in intracellular transport and membrane-associated proteins, which could be key for EV uptake in this model.

"The method can be adapted for different EV subtypes and cell types. "The versatility of our system allows researchers to investigate the specificity of EV uptake mechanisms in many biological contexts," Imami says.

"Discovering the proteins involved in EV uptake could further our understanding of how cancer cells spread and help develop EV-based drug-delivery systems that target specific cell types.

Comment: as usual the simple but necessary mode of cellular communication involves the actions of up to 450 proteins. No process in living organisms is simple. That life appeared is miraculous.