Exocytosis of IgG as mediated by the receptor, FcRn: an analysis at the single-molecule level.

ABSTRACT: IgG transport within and across cells is essential for effective humoral immunity. Through a combination of biochemical and in vivo analyses, the MHC class I-related neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is known to play a central role in delivering IgGs within and across cells. However, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms that are involved in the exocytosis of IgG from cells that express FcRn. Here, we use single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to analyze exocytic processes in FcRn-GFP-transfected human endothelial cells. We show that exocytosis can occur by means of multiple modes that range from complete fusion of the exocytic vesicle with the plasma membrane to a slower-release mode ("prolonged release") that only involves partial mixing of membrane contents. Even for pr

SUBMITTER: Ober RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC503743 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature