Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Determination of the Glycogen Content in Cyanobacteria
Published on: July 17, 2017
Cellular uptake of aminoglycosides, guanidinoglycosides, and poly-arginine
Nathan W Luedtke1, Peter Carmichael, Yitzhak Tor
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0358, USA.
Abstract:
Aminoglycosides (including neomycin B and tobramycin) exhibit poor uptake by eukaryotic cell lines. When the amines of these natural products are converted into guanidine groups, their cellular uptake is dramatically enhanced. We have synthesized BODIPY-containing aminoglycosides and guanidinoglycosides to evaluate their cellular uptake properties. Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and fluorescence microscopy are used to compare the membrane translocation and the cellular localization of these compounds. Upon guanidinylation, the cellular uptake efficiencies of tobramycin and neomycin B are enhanced by 10-fold and 20-fold, respectively. Guanidino-neomycin B exhibits a highly efficient uptake, superior to a fluorescent poly-arginine peptide. Interestingly, the cellular uptake of this common transduction peptide is inhibited by guanidine-neomycin B, suggesting a similar uptake mechanism for both the arginine-rich peptides and the guanidinoglycosides.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Dietary Connections
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
Introduction to Carbohydrates
Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
Carbohydrate Absorption
After being swallowed, the partially digested carbohydrates mix with gastric secretions in the stomach. However, the acidic environment...

