Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
08:37
Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer
Published on: November 15, 2024
613
Extracellular vesicles: eat glutamine and spit acidic bubbles.
Guillaume van Niel1, Clotilde Théry2
1Université de Paris, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, "Endosomal dynamic in neuropathies", Paris, France.
The EMBO Journal
|August 19, 2020
Summary
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key in cell communication. A new study shows resource scarcity can trigger the release of specific exosomes, influencing physiology and cancer aggressiveness.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate intercellular communication by transferring molecular cargo.
- EV heterogeneity, linked to intracellular origin, is increasingly recognized as crucial for their function.
- Cellular homeostasis and signaling are modulated by external resources, impacting EV production.
Discussion:
- Fan et al. (2020) identified a novel subpopulation of exosomes produced under resource-limited conditions.
- These exosomes are enriched in Rab11a, a protein involved in vesicular transport.
- The study highlights the context-dependent roles of these specific exosomes in Drosophila gland physiology and cancer cell aggressiveness.
Key Insights:
- Resource scarcity can induce the biogenesis of distinct exosome subpopulations.
- Rab11a-enriched exosomes play significant roles in physiological and pathological contexts.
- EV heterogeneity is a critical factor determining their functional outcomes.
Outlook:
- Further investigation into Rab11a-exosome function could reveal new therapeutic targets.
- Understanding EV biogenesis under stress conditions may advance regenerative medicine.
- This work underscores the importance of considering EV origin and content for therapeutic applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Amino Acid Catabolism
705
Microorganisms rely on proteins as an essential carbon and energy source, particularly in environments with limited polysaccharides or lipids. However, proteins are too large to cross the plasma membrane unaided, necessitating enzymatic degradation. Microbes secrete extracellular proteases and peptidases that hydrolyze proteins into peptides, which can then be transported across the membrane. Once inside the cell, intracellular proteases degrade these peptides into free amino acids, which...
705
01:33Overview of Secretory Vesicles
9.2K
Secretory vesicles, also known as dense core vesicles (DCVs), are membrane-bound vesicles that transport secretory proteins, such as hormones or neurotransmitters. Regulated secretory vesicles transport proteins from the trans-Golgi network to the exterior of the cell. Proteins present in regulated secretory vesicles are required to be rapidly exocytosed in large amounts upon a specific stimulus.
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
9.2K
01:31Lysosomes
24.7K
Lysosomes are membrane-enclosed spherical sacs derived from the Golgi apparatus. The most important function of the lysosome is degrading macromolecules and biological polymers that are released during membrane trafficking events such as the secretory, endocytic, autophagic, and phagocytic pathways. The degradation is carried out by several hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen. These acid hydrolases are involved in cellular processes such as cell signaling,...
24.7K
01:38Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies
4.5K
Intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) are small vesicles 50-80 nm in diameter formed during the maturation of early endosomes. A specialized endosome containing numerous ILVs is called a multivesicular body (MVB). ILVs contain internalized molecules such as antigens, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Some of these molecules are released from the MVBs inside exosomes and are transported to other cells. Other MVBs contain molecules that are retained in the ILVs and are later degraded within the...
4.5K
00:51Exocytosis
72.6K
Exocytosis is used to release material from cells. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
72.6K
00:50Exocytosis
8.7K
Exocytosis is a process that releases molecules outside the cell. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
Exocytosis is the opposite of endocytosis, which brings molecules inside the cell. Sometimes, the released materials are signaling molecules. For example, neurons typically use exocytosis to release neurotransmitters. Cells also use exocytosis to insert proteins such as ion channels into their cell membranes, secrete proteins for use in the extracellular matrix, or...
Exocytosis is the opposite of endocytosis, which brings molecules inside the cell. Sometimes, the released materials are signaling molecules. For example, neurons typically use exocytosis to release neurotransmitters. Cells also use exocytosis to insert proteins such as ion channels into their cell membranes, secrete proteins for use in the extracellular matrix, or...
8.7K