Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
11:44
Stimulation of Cytoplasmic DNA Sensing Pathways In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: September 18, 2014
Circulating DNA: intracellular and intraorgan messenger?
1Anatomy and Human Sciences, King's College London, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL. pgahan@aol.com
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|November 17, 2006
Summary
Foreign and endogenous DNA circulate within plants, expressing in host plants and influencing generation. This suggests DNA fractions can act as intercellular messengers in plants and animals.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
Background:
- DNA circulates within organisms.
- Gene expression can occur in host cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the circulation and expression of foreign and endogenous DNA in plants.
- To support the concept of DNA acting as a intercellular messenger.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of DNA circulation in plants.
- Observation of DNA expression in host plants.
- Review of data from animal systems.
Main Results:
- Both foreign and endogenous DNA circulate within plants.
- This circulating DNA can be expressed in host plant tissues.
- Data from plant and animal systems support DNA's messenger role.
Conclusions:
- DNA fractions can function as messengers between plant cells and tissues.
- The findings support a broader biological role for circulating DNA.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Types of Receptors: Internal Receptors
Many cellular signals are hydrophilic and cannot pass through the plasma membrane. However, small or hydrophobic signaling molecules can cross the hydrophobic core of the plasma membrane and bind intracellular receptors that reside within the cell cytoplasm or nucleus. Many mammalian steroid hormones and nitric oxide (NO) gas use this cell signaling mechanism.
Similar to membrane-bound receptors, the binding of a ligand to the intracellular receptor of causes a conformational change in the...
Similar to membrane-bound receptors, the binding of a ligand to the intracellular receptor of causes a conformational change in the...
01:31Internal Receptors
Many cellular signals are hydrophilic and therefore cannot pass through the plasma membrane. However, small or hydrophobic signaling molecules can cross the hydrophobic core of the plasma membrane and bind to internal, or intracellular, receptors that reside within the cell. Many mammalian steroid hormones use this mechanism of cell signaling, as does nitric oxide (NO) gas.
01:12What are Second Messengers?
Because many receptor binding ligands are hydrophilic, they do not cross the cell membrane and thus their message must be relayed to a second messenger on the inside. There are several second messenger pathways, each with their own way of relaying information. G-protein coupled receptors can activate both phosphoinositol and cyclic AMP (cAMP) second messenger pathways. The phosphoinositol path is active when the receptor induces phospholipase C to hydrolyze the phospholipid,...
01:12What are Second Messengers?
Because many receptor binding ligands are hydrophilic, they do not cross the cell membrane and thus their message must be relayed to a second messenger on the inside. There are several second messenger pathways, each with their own way of relaying information. G-protein coupled receptors can activate both phosphoinositol and cyclic AMP (cAMP) second messenger pathways. The phosphoinositol path is active when the receptor induces phospholipase C to hydrolyze the phospholipid,...
02:03What is Cell Signaling?
Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
01:01Autocrine Signaling
Autocrine signaling is one of the many signaling mechanisms that function inside multicellular organisms to carry out intercellular communication. In this type of signaling mechanism, the same cell that secretes an extracellular signaling molecule also expresses the receptors to bind and respond to that signaling molecule.
Autocrine Signaling in Macrophages
Under normal physiological conditions, autocrine signaling is essential for maintaining homeostasis. This process is well characterized in...
Autocrine Signaling in Macrophages
Under normal physiological conditions, autocrine signaling is essential for maintaining homeostasis. This process is well characterized in...