The proteins that make cell-to-cell cargo transport possible
Study is first to show how tiny particles stay intact on their journeys
Illustration of exosomes, one type of extracellular vesicles that carry proteins and other molecules from donor to recipient cells to alter physiological and biological responses.
Scientists have revealed the secret to the structural integrity of tiny particles that transport cargo from cell to cell through blood vessels and bodily fluids: special proteins that keep their membranes intact as they negotiate shifting electrical impulses in different biological environments.
These particles, called extracellular vesicles, are considered attractive vehicle models for new drug therapies. But until now, researchers haven’t had the complete picture of how they work. In a new study, a team led by medical researchers at The Ohio State University determined that these vesicles contain an ion channel – a protein that opens a corridor allowing electrical charges to pass through the protective outer membrane, a necessary step to keep contents and conditions stable inside.
