Microsomes are small vesicle-like structures derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of eukaryotic cells. These subcellular particles play a crucial role in various cellular processes, particularly in drug metabolism and biotransformation. Microsomes are formed during cell homogenization and fractionation procedures. When cells are disrupted, the ER fragments into small vesicles that reseal to form microsomes. These structures typically range in size from 20 to 200 nanometers in diameter. The microsomal fraction is usually isolated by differential centrifugation, separating it from other cellular components. Microsomes are rich in enzymes and play a vital role in drug metabolism, lipid synthesis and protein processing. Microsomes are used in drug development, toxicity studies and enzyme kinetics of membrane-bound enzymes. There are important limitations to consider when using microsomes for research, including A- They lack the full cellular context, which may affect the interpretation of results; B- The isolation process can potentially alter enzyme activities; and C- Microsomes do not contain cytosolic enzymes, which may be important for some metabolic pathways. AkrivisBio’s Microsome Isolation Kit allows for the preparation of microsomes in 1.5-2 ml microcentrifuge tubes with intact enzyme activities, without the need for ultracentrifugation.
