Argosomes: intracellular transport vehicles for intercellular signals?
Cell clusters in the immature tissues of developing organisms create morphogen gradients that guide cellular differentiation into specific cell fates. Although the process of simple diffusion in gradient establishment has been well studied, there are other mechanisms by which cells establish morphogen gradients. Christian discusses the recent findings that morphogens may establish gradients through the use of plasma membrane-containing exovesicles, termed "argosomes."
Christian
Jan L
JL
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97201, USA. christia@ohsu.edu
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D011992:Endosomes / Q000502:physiology; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000502:physiology*; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D022161:Transport Vesicles / Q000502:physiology*