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A Facile and Efficient Approach for the Production of Reversible Disulfide Cross-linked Micelles
Published on: December 23, 2016
Effects of methylcyclodextrin on lysosomes.
M Jadot1, F Andrianaivo, F Dubois
1Laboratory of Physiological Chemistry, University of Namur (FUNDP), Namur, Belgium. michel.jadot@fundp.ac.be
European Journal of Biochemistry
|March 7, 2001
Summary
Methyl-cyclodextrin (MCD) alters lysosomal membranes in living cells, making them more susceptible to disruption. This cholesterol-binding agent offers a novel way to study and modify lysosomal properties.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Membrane Biophysics
Background:
- Cholesterol is a key component of biological membranes.
- Methyl-cyclodextrin (MCD) is a known cholesterol-complexing agent.
- Lysosomes are vital organelles involved in cellular degradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of methyl-cyclodextrin (MCD) on lysosomal membranes in situ.
- To assess how MCD treatment impacts lysosomal stability and properties.
- To explore MCD as a tool for modulating lysosomal function.
Main Methods:
- HepG2 cells were treated with MCD.
- Lysosomes were isolated from treated and control cells.
- Lysosomal sensitivity to osmotic stress, detergents, and pressure was analyzed.
- Isopycnic centrifugation in sucrose density gradients was employed.
Main Results:
- Lysosomes from MCD-treated cells exhibited increased sensitivity to membrane-perturbing agents (glucose, sucrose, glycyl-L-phenylalanine 2-naphthylamide).
- Lysosomal membranes showed reduced resistance to increased hydrostatic pressure after MCD treatment.
- Isopycnic centrifugation revealed a reversible increase in lysosomal density.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular MCD modifies lysosomal membrane properties in living cells.
- MCD can reversibly alter lysosomal density.
- MCD presents a potential tool for modulating lysosomal physical properties and monitoring cellular responses.
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