Aggregation-mediated macromolecular uptake by a molecular transporter.

ABSTRACT: Endocytosis is a key process in cellular delivery of macromolecules by molecular transporters, although the mechanism of internalization remains unclear. Here, we probe the cellular uptake of streptavidin using biotinylated guanidinoneomycin (biotinGNeo), a low molecular weight guanidinium-rich molecular transporter. Two distinct modes were explored: (i) incubation of cells with a preformed tetravalent streptavidin-(biotinGNeo)4 conjugate and (ii) preincubation of cells with the biotinGNeo before exposure to streptavidin. A significant enhancement in uptake was observed after preincubation with biotinGNeo. FRET studies showed that the enhanced uptake was accompanied by extensive aggregation of streptavidin on the cell surface. Because guanidinylated neomycin was previously found to exclusi

SUBMITTER: Inoue M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3773245 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature