Abstract
Background: The plasma membrane plays an essential role in selective permeability, compartmentalization, osmotic balance, and cellular uptake. The characteristics and functions of cyanobacterial membranes have been extensively investigated in recent years. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are special nanocarriers that can overcome the plasma membrane barrier and enter cells directly, either alone or with associated cargoes. However, the cellular entry mechanisms of CPPs in cyanobacteria have not been studied.
Results: In the present study, we determine CPP-mediated transduction efficiency and internalization mechanisms in cyanobacteria using a combination of biological and biophysical methods. We demonstrate that both Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 strains of cyanobacteria possess red autofluorescence. Green fluorescent protein (GFP), either alone or noncovalently associated with a CPP comprised of nine arginine residues (R9/GFP complexes), entered cyanobacteria. The ATP-depleting inhibitor of classical endocytosis, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), could block the spontaneous internalization of GFP, but not the transduction of R9/GFP complexes. Three specific inhibitors of macropinocytosis, cytochalasin D (CytD), 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA), and wortmannin, reduced the efficiency of R9/GFP complex transduction, indicating that entry of R9/GFP complexes involves macropinocytosis. Both the 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan (MTT) and membrane leakage analyses confirmed that R9/GFP complexes were not toxic to the cyanobacteria, nor were the endocytic and macropinocytic inhibitors used in these studies.
Conclusions: In summary, we have demonstrated that cyanobacteria use classical endocytosis and macropinocytosis to internalize exogenous GFP and CPP/GFP proteins, respectively. Moreover, the CPP-mediated delivery system is not toxic to cyanobacteria, and can be used to investigate biological processes at the cellular level in this species. These results suggest that both endocytic and macropinocytic pathways can be used for efficient internalization of regular protein and CPP-mediated protein delivery in cyanobacteria, respectively.
Recommended Citation
B. R. Liu et al., "Mechanistic Studies of Intracellular Delivery of Proteins by Cell-Penetrating Peptides in Cyanobacteria," BMC Microbiology, vol. 13, BioMed Central, Mar 2013.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2180-13-57
Department(s)
Biological Sciences
Keywords and Phrases
1 (4,5 Dimethylthiazol 2 YL) 3,5 Diphenylformazan; 5 (N Ethyl N Isopropyl)Amiloride; Adenosine Triphosphate; Arginine; N Ethylmaleimide; Unclassified Drug; Wortmannin; Autofluorescence; Cell Membrane; Controlled Study; Cyanobacterium; Endocytosis; Nonhuman; Pinocytosis; Protein Transport; Regulatory Mechanism; Signal Transduction; Synechococcus elongatus; Synechocystis; Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPPs); Green Fluorescent Proteins (GFPs); Microscopy, Fluorescence; Synechococcus; Cyanobacteria; Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942; Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803; Macropinocytosis; Protein Transduction; Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP)
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1471-2180
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2013 BioMed Central, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
Publication Date
01 Mar 2013
PubMed ID
23497160
