remissyttranden

Remissyttranden is a term used in speculative discussions of cellular signaling to describe a proposed class of small, membrane-bound vesicular bodies that could mediate intercellular communication in certain plant and algal systems. In these models, remissyttranden are thought to form by budding from endosomal membranes, become loaded with signaling cargo such as peptides, lipids, and metabolites, and be released into intercellular spaces where they interact with neighboring cells to influence growth, metabolism, or stress responses.

Etymology and scope: The name combines elements related to remission or sending back signals with cytoplasmic or cellular terminology. The concept appears primarily in exploratory reviews and hypothetical frameworks rather than in established experimental findings, and its usage varies among researchers.

Characteristics and proposed mechanism: Remissyttranden are described as small, lipid-bilayer vesicles that may carry a selective cargo of signaling molecules. They are proposed to travel through intercellular channels such as plasmodesmata in plants or analogous structures in other taxa, enabling targeted interaction with specific recipient cells. In the speculative models, uptake by recipient cells can modulate gene expression and metabolic priorities, contributing to coordinated resource allocation during stress or developmental transitions.

Status in the scientific literature: Evidence for remissyttranden remains unconfirmed and controversial. Critics argue that observed vesicle populations may correspond to known extracellular vesicle types or experimental artifacts. Proponents call for rigorous, reproducible detection and characterization to distinguish remissyttranden from established vesicle pathways.

See also: Extracellular vesicles, exosomes, plasmodesmata, plant signaling.