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Related Concept Videos

Catenins01:23

Catenins

Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Cell Adhesion in Plants01:14

Cell Adhesion in Plants

Plants have rigid cell walls that are made up of cell wall polysaccharides that mediate cell-cell adhesion. The primary cell walls of plants consist of two independent and interacting polysaccharide networks: a pectin matrix that embeds the second network comprising cellulose and hemicelluloses.
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily  involved in a...
Role of Septins01:02

Role of Septins

Septins are the recently discovered fourth major protein component of the cytoskeleton, along with microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These proteins can associate with other cytoskeletal filaments and carry out varied roles or can be free-floating in the cytoplasm.
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
Contact-dependent Signaling01:19

Contact-dependent Signaling

Contact-dependent signaling, as the name suggests, requires that communicating cells be in direct contact with each other. This is achieved either through receptor-ligand interactions or by specialized cytoplasmic channels that allow the flow of small molecules between cells. In animal cells, channels called gap junctions facilitate contact-dependent signaling in certain tissues, whereas, plasmodesmata perform a similar function in plants.
Gap Junctions
In animal cells, gap junctions are formed...
Phosphoinositides and PIPs01:42

Phosphoinositides and PIPs

Phosphoinositides are a group of phospholipids containing a glycerol backbone with two fatty acid chains and a phosphate attached to a myoinositol sugar ring. The inositol head group extends into the cytoplasm, where it is modified by adding phosphate groups to form phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs.
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Biotinylated Cell-penetrating Peptides to Study Intracellular Protein-protein Interactions
10:26

Biotinylated Cell-penetrating Peptides to Study Intracellular Protein-protein Interactions

Published on: December 20, 2017

PTEN: an intercellular peacekeeper?

Nick R Leslie1

  • 1Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, James Black Centre, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK. n.r.leslie@dundee.ac.uk

Science Signaling
|November 15, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Cancer cells may not need to produce their own enzymes. A study shows that the tumor suppressor PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10) can transfer between cells via exosomes, inhibiting cancer growth.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Cancer research
  • Molecular oncology

Background:

  • Traditionally, intracellular enzymes are synthesized within cells.
  • Gene silencing in cancer cells is expected to lead to protein loss and dysfunction.
  • Intercellular communication in tumor suppression is an emerging area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the intercellular transfer of cytosolic enzymes.
  • To explore novel mechanisms of tumor suppression beyond intracellular synthesis.
  • To determine if PTEN can be transferred between cells and affect target cells.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized exosome isolation techniques.
  • Investigated the presence and function of PTEN in exosomes.
  • Assessed the impact of exosome-mediated PTEN transfer on recipient cancer cell signaling and proliferation.

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Purification and Quality Control of Recombinant Septin Complexes for Cell-Free Reconstitution
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Purification and Quality Control of Recombinant Septin Complexes for Cell-Free Reconstitution

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Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that PTEN, a cytosolic enzyme, is packaged and released in exosomes.
  • Showed that PTEN can be successfully transferred to recipient cancer cells via these exosomes.
  • Confirmed that intercellular PTEN transfer suppresses signaling pathways and reduces proliferation in target cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • Challenges the assumption of exclusive intracellular enzyme synthesis.
  • Reveals a novel intercellular tumor suppression mechanism involving exosomal PTEN transfer.
  • Suggests that targeting exosome-mediated PTEN delivery could be a therapeutic strategy for cancer.