The endomembrane requirement for cell surface repair
Abstract
The capacity to reseal a plasma membrane disruption rapidly is required for cell survival in many physiological environments. Intracellular membrane (endomembrane) is thought to play a central role in the rapid resealing response. We here directly compare the resealing response of a cell that lacks endomembrane, the red blood cell, with that of several nucleated cells possessing an abundant endomembrane compartment. RBC membrane disruptions inflicted by a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser, even those initially smaller than hemoglobin, failed to reseal rapidly. By contrast, much larger laser-induced disruptions made in sea urchin eggs, fibroblasts, and neurons exhibited rapid, Ca2+-dependent resealing. We conclude that rapid resealing is not mediated by simple physiochemical mechanisms; endomembrane is required.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.0736739100
- Bibcode:
- 2003PNAS..100.4592M
- Keywords:
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- Cell Biology