Quantum Dots Monitor TrkA Receptor Dynamics in the Interior of Neural PC12 Cells

Can quantum dots (QDs) serve as physiologically relevant receptor probes in the interior of cells? We directly visualize endocytosis, redistribution,
and shuttling of QD bound-TrkA receptors to PC12 neural processes and far-reaching growth cone tips. Internalized QDs are contained in
microtubule-associated vesicles and possess transport properties that reflect TrkA receptor dynamics. This opens up new possibilities for the
development of QD platforms as molecular tools to image biochemical signaling and transport cargo in the cell interior.

量子点（quantum dots，QDs）能否作为细胞内部具有生理相关性的受体探针？本研究直接可视化了结合量子点的酪氨酸激酶受体A（TrkA）的胞吞、再分布及穿梭运输过程：与量子点偶联的TrkA受体被转运至PC12细胞的神经突起及远端生长锥尖端。内吞进入细胞的量子点被包裹于微管相关囊泡中，其转运特性与TrkA受体的动力学行为高度一致。该研究为开发量子点平台作为分子工具，以成像细胞内部的生化信号传导过程并可视化细胞内转运货物开辟了全新的可能性。