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Polynucleotide aggregates enhance the transport of protein at the surface of cultured mammalian cells
Author(s) -
Ryser H. J.P.,
Termini T. E.,
Barnes P. R.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1040870210
Subject(s) - polynucleotide , albumin , macromolecule , chemistry , enhancer , inducer , biophysics , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology , gene , gene expression
It was known that polycationic polymers enhance the entry of macromolecules into cells. We now show that polynucleotides may have similar effects, when used as large aggregates. Poly(1‐vinylcytosine):polyinosinic acid, an inducer of interferon production in human cells, can cause at 40 μg/ml a 75‐fold enhancement of albumin uptake by sarcoma cells in culture. Most of this activity (85%) is related to the presence of aggregates retained by 0.65 μ millipore membranes. The prior finding that enhancers of albumin transport have increasing effects with increasing molecular sizes may thus extend to complexes of supramolecular sizes.