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Structural characterization and permeability of plasma membrane vesicles derived from algae

The underexplored potential of isolated plasma membrane vesicles derived from algal cells could be of pharmaceutical interest for the development of drug carriers. Dunaliella tertiolecta is a halotolerant species, characteristic by the lack of a rigid cell wall, possessing only a thin, elastic plasma membrane covered with a mucus coat – glycocalyx. The membrane elasticity permits rapid cell volume change as a response to osmotic pressure. Under salinity stress, D. tertiolecta cell bursts followed by the release of the intracellular material and spontaneous membrane fusion and formation of plasma vesicle. The goal of this study is to develop a protocol for the reinforcement of plasma membrane vesicles by polymerization of actin monomers with Mg2+ as a crosslinking agent. Permeability of reinforced membrane was examined with fluorescent dyes and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Atomic force microscopy provides insight into the structural characterization of membrane vesicles in the air. The diameter of the vesicles was between 5 to 20 µm, with a membrane height of about 20 nm and heterogeneous distribution of structures that resemble pores. Results show that the actin- reinforced plasma membrane is spontaneously permeable for calcein. Interestingly, the reinforced plasma membrane acts as impermeable for FITC conjugated ovalbumin and concanavalin A-FITC which indicates the pore size of about 3.5 nm.

plasma membrane vesicles , marine microalgae, Dunaliella tertiolecta

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