Effect of wortmannin and phorbol ester on Paramecium fluid-phase uptake

What is it about?

The kinetics of the uptake of the fluid phase marker Lucifer Yellow (LY), and its alteration by wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K), and the PKC modulators: GF 109203 X (an inhibitor), and phorbol ester ( an activator) was studied in eukaryotic model Paramecium aurelia. Spectrophotometric quantification of LY accumulation was performed in the presence or absence of transferrin, a marker of receptor-mediated endocytosis. LY and transferrin (visualized by streptavidin–FITC) were localized in Paramecium by 3-D reconstruction by confocal microscopy.

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Why is it important?

Controversial data may be found in the literature concerning uptake mechanisms as well as the relationship between the fluid phase and receptor-mediated endocytosis (RME)

Perspectives

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Effect of PKC modulators suggests that PMA action on fluid phase uptake is not directly mediated by PKC.

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