title: Visualizing molecular diffusion through passive permeability barriers in cells: conventional and novel approaches.
abstract: Diffusion barriers are universal solutions for cells to achieve distinct organizations, compositions, and activities within a limited space. The influence of diffusion barriers on the spatiotemporal dynamics of signaling molecules often determines cellular physiology and functions. Over the years, the passive permeability barriers in various subcellular locales have been characterized using elaborate analytical techniques. In this review, we will summarize the current state of knowledge on the various passive permeability barriers present in mammalian cells. We will conclude with a description of several conventional techniques and one new approach based on chemically inducible diffusion trap (CIDT) for probing permeable barriers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, United States. ylin54@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Yu-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Siew Cheng
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Phua
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Takanari
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004058:Diffusion; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010539:Permeability
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes