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Not just another hole in the wall: understanding intercellular protein trafficking
Kimberly L Gallagher1, Philip N Benfey
1Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
Genes & Development
|January 19, 2005
Abstract:
Development and differentiation of multicellular organisms requires cell-to-cell communication. In plants direct signaling and exchange of macromolecules between cells is possible through plasmodesmata. Recently direct exchange of membrane-bound vesicles and organelles has been demonstrated between animal cells through formation of cytoplasmic bridges (tunneling nanotubes) in vitro. Here we review recent developments in cell-to-cell trafficking of macromolecules in plants and animals.