STUDIES ON CELL DEFORMABILITY : I. Effect of Surface Charge.

Area of Science:

• Cell biology
• Biophysics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The deformability of cell membranes is crucial for various biological processes, including cell migration and interaction.
• Tumor cells, such as Sarcoma 37 and Ehrlich murine ascites tumor cells, exhibit unique membrane properties that influence their behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of neuraminidase enzymatic treatment on the deformability of Sarcoma 37 and Ehrlich murine ascites tumor cells.
• To explore the relationship between cell surface charge and membrane deformability in these tumor cells.

Main Methods:

• Assessing cell membrane deformability by measuring the pressure required to create a bulge into a micropipette.
• Quantifying cell surface charge using cellular electrophoretic mobility measurements.
• Enzymatic treatment of cells with neuraminidase.

Main Results:

• Neuraminidase treatment significantly decreased the suction pressure needed to deform the tumor cell membranes, indicating increased deformability.
• Enzymatic treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the measured cellular electrophoretic mobility, signifying a decrease in surface charge.
• A correlation was observed between reduced surface charge and enhanced cellular deformability.

Conclusions:

• The study suggests that reduced cell surface charge, induced by neuraminidase, enhances the deformability of Sarcoma 37 and Ehrlich murine ascites tumor cells.
• Cell surface charge may play a role in overcoming energy barriers for cell-cell contact and influencing the formation of membrane probes for interaction.