Exosome (vesicle)
Exosome (vesicle)
Exosome (pronounced: /ˈɛksəˌsoʊm/) is a type of extracellular vesicle that is released by cells into the extracellular environment. These vesicles are small, ranging in size from 30 to 150 nanometers in diameter, and are filled with a variety of cellular materials, including proteins, lipids, and RNA molecules.
Etymology
The term "exosome" comes from the Greek words "exo", meaning "outside", and "soma", meaning "body". It was first used in this context in the 1980s to describe vesicles that were observed to be released by cells.
Function
Exosomes play a crucial role in cell communication, as they can transfer their contents from one cell to another. This can influence the behavior of the recipient cell. For example, exosomes can transfer mRNA and microRNA molecules that can alter the protein production of the recipient cell. They are also involved in the removal of unwanted cellular materials.
Related Terms
- Extracellular vesicle: A general term for particles released by cells that are surrounded by a lipid bilayer. Exosomes are a specific type of extracellular vesicle.
- Microvesicle: Another type of extracellular vesicle, larger than exosomes and formed by the outward budding of the cell membrane.
- Endosome: A type of vesicle within cells that is involved in the process of endocytosis. Exosomes are formed in endosomes before being released from the cell.
- Lipid bilayer: The double-layered membrane that surrounds exosomes and other types of cells and vesicles.
- mRNA and microRNA: Types of RNA molecules that can be transferred by exosomes and influence protein production in recipient cells.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Exosome (vesicle)
- Wikipedia's article - Exosome (vesicle)
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