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. 2002 Feb 12;86(4):652–657. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6600138

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Copyright © 2002 Cancer Research UK

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Photochemical internalization: ‘light after’ and ‘light before’ induced cytosolic delivery of endocytosed macromolecules. (A) ‘Light after’: both the photosensitizer (S) and the macromolecule (M) are endocytosed and localize in the same endocytic vesicles (I). Light exposure induces photochemical reactions, leading to the disruption of vesicular membranes and resulting in cytosolic release of the macromolecules (II). (B) ‘Light before’: light-induced disruption of vesicular membranes containing S (III) before M is endocytosed and localize in intact endocytic vesicles (IV). Fusion between intact M-containing and photochemically disrupted S-containing vesicles leads to the cytosolic release of the macromolecules (V).