title: Fluid phase endocytic uptake of artificial nano-spheres and fluorescent quantum dots by sycamore cultured cells: evidence for the distribution of solutes to different intracellular compartments.
abstract: Fluid phase endocytic uptake of external solutes in plant cells was further substantiated using artificial polystyrene nano-spheres (40 nm) and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (20 nm). Both types of artificial nano-particles were taken up by sycamore-cultured cells. However, whereas polystyrene nano-spheres were delivered to the central vacuole, CdSe/ZnS nano-dots were sequestered into cytoplasmic vesicular structures. Using dextran-Texas Red (m.w. 3,000; d-TR) as additional marker, confocal micrographs confirmed the distinct topographic distribution of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots within the cell. Initially, d-TR and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots colocalized within cytoplasmic vesicles. After 18 h incubation, d-TR was distinctly localized in the vacuole whereas CdSe/ZnS quantum dots remained sequestered in cytoplasmic membranous compartments. The data provide a first evidence for the rapid distribution of solutes taken up by endocytosis to distinct intracellular compartments.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida; Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences; Citrus Research and Education Center; Department of Horticultural Sciences; Lake Alfred, Florida USA.
authors.forename: Ed
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Etxeberria
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Edurne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baroja-Fernandez
authors.forename: Javier Pozueta
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Romero