Department of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic , Jacksonville, FL , USA.
Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic , Jacksonville, FL , USA.
Front Oncol. 2014 Jun 4;4:129. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2014.00129. eCollection 2014.
The transfer of extracellular RNA is emerging as an important mechanism for inter-cellular communication. The ability for the transfer of functionally active RNA molecules from one cell to another within vesicles such as exosomes enables a cell to modulate cellular signaling and biological processes within recipient cells. The study of extracellular RNA requires sensitive methods for the detection of these molecules. In this methods article, we will describe protocols for the detection of such extracellular RNA using sensitive detection technologies such as digital PCR. These protocols should be valuable to researchers interested in the role and contribution of extracellular RNA to tumor cell biology.
细胞外 RNA 的转移正在成为细胞间通讯的一个重要机制。功能活性 RNA 分子能够从一个细胞通过囊泡（如外泌体）转移到另一个细胞中，这使细胞能够调节受体细胞中的细胞信号转导和生物学过程。细胞外 RNA 的研究需要灵敏的方法来检测这些分子。在本方法学文章中，我们将描述使用数字 PCR 等灵敏检测技术检测此类细胞外 RNA 的方案。对于关注细胞外 RNA 在肿瘤细胞生物学中的作用和贡献的研究人员来说，这些方案应该是有价值的。
