학술논문
Phase separation in necrotic cells.
Document Type
Article
Author
Source
Subject
*NECROSIS
*MEMBRANE proteins
*PHASE separation
*OSMOSIS
*ULTRACENTRIFUGATION
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Language
ISSN
0006-291X
Abstract
Necrotic cells are known to develop characteristic membrane blebs. We measured protein concentration within necrotic blebs and found that it can be reduced by as much as twenty-fold compared to the main cell body (CB). These results raise two questions: 1. Why do proteins vacate the bleb? 2. How can osmotic equilibrium be maintained between the bleb and CB? Our photobleaching and ultracentrifugation experiments indicate extensive protein aggregation. We hypothesize that protein aggregation within the CB shifts the chemical equilibrium and draws proteins out of the bleb; at the same time, aggregation reduces the effective molar concentration of protein in the CB, so that osmotic equilibrium between high-protein CB and low-protein necrotic blebs becomes possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]