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In Vitro Permeation of FITC-loaded Ferritins Across a Rat Blood-brain Barrier: a Model to Study the Delivery of Nanoformulated Molecules
Published on: August 22, 2016
The intracellular distribution of ferritin following microinjection
Abstract:
Ferritin solutions were microinjected into the ground cytoplasm of intact amebae. At several time-intervals after injection the cells were fixed and the distribution of the protein in various organelles was studied with the aid of the electron microscope. Individual molecules of ferritin were found randomly dispersed throughout the ground cytoplasm and the ground nucleoplasm. Within the mitochondria, the ferritin was localized between the outer and inner membranes. Aggregates of ferritin were found in vacuoles, some of which could be identified as food vacuoles. The findings, which provide evidence for a rapid penetration of large molecules into the nucleus, the outer compartment of the mitochondria, and the digestive vacuoles, are discussed in relation to other reports on intracellular permeability.
Insights
Large molecules like ferritin rapidly penetrate ameba cells, entering the nucleus, mitochondria, and vacuoles. This study reveals insights into intracellular permeability and large molecule transport within cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Understanding intracellular permeability is crucial for drug delivery and cellular function.
- The movement of large molecules across cellular membranes remains a key area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intracellular distribution and transport of microinjected ferritin in amebae.
- To assess the permeability of various cellular compartments to large molecules.
Main Methods:
- Microinjection of ferritin solutions into the cytoplasm of intact amebae.
- Electron microscopy was used to visualize ferritin distribution at different time intervals post-injection.
- Identification of cellular organelles containing ferritin.
Main Results:
- Ferritin molecules were found dispersed in the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm.
- Ferritin localized within the intermembrane space of mitochondria.
- Ferritin aggregates were observed in food vacuoles, indicating uptake and processing.
Conclusions:
- Ferritin rapidly penetrates the nucleus, mitochondria, and digestive vacuoles in amebae.
- These findings support rapid large molecule transport into key cellular compartments.
- The study provides evidence for significant intracellular permeability in amebae.
