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Membrane fluctuations in erythrocytes are linked to MgATP-dependent dynamic assembly of the membrane skeleton

S Levin1, R Korenstein

  • 1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.

Biophysical Journal
|September 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Cell membrane fluctuations are a general property of living cells. Magnesium-ATP (MgATP) is crucial for restoring these fluctuations in red blood cell ghosts, independent of cell shape.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Membrane Dynamics

Background:

  • Low-frequency fluctuations are observed in various cell types, suggesting a general property of cell membranes.
  • Understanding the mechanisms driving these fluctuations is key to comprehending cell mechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of metabolic energy in driving cell membrane fluctuations.
  • To determine the specific requirements for reestablishing membrane fluctuations in red blood cell ghosts.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a novel optical method based on point dark-field microscopy.
  • Studied fluctuations in human erythrocytes and their ghosts.

Main Results:

  • Reestablishment of membrane fluctuations in erythrocyte ghosts is dependent on MgATP.
  • Restoration of the biconcave shape is not required for membrane fluctuation reestablishment.
  • Metabolic energy significantly influences the dominant component of membrane fluctuations.

Conclusions:

  • Cell membrane fluctuations are metabolically dependent.
  • MgATP induces a dynamic mechano-chemical coupling within the membrane skeleton network.
  • Suggests a fundamental mechanism for cell membrane dynamics and integrity.

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