title: Intercellular communication: diverse structures for exchange of genetic information.
abstract: An emerging concept is that cellular communication in mammals can be mediated by the exchange of genetic information, mainly in the form of microRNAs. This can occur when extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, secreted by a donor cell are taken up by an acceptor cell. Transfer of genetic material can also occur through intimate membrane contacts between donor and acceptor cells. Specialized cell-cell contacts, such as synapses, have the potential to combine these modes of genetic transfer.
authors.affiliation: Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, 28029         Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mittelbrunn
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Madrid
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002450:Cell Communication; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010944:Plants; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012313:RNA