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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Permeabilization of Adhered Cells Using an Inert Gas Jet

Permeabilization of Adhered Cells Using an Inert Gas Jet

Published on: September 4, 2013

Permeabilization of cell membranes.

Maria Célia Jamur¹, Constance Oliver

¹Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|December 17, 2009

Summary

Cell permeabilization is crucial for detecting intracellular antigens. This study details methods using organic solvents or detergents to make cell membranes permeable to antibodies, enabling antigen detection.

Area of Science:

Cell biology
Immunology
Biochemistry

Background:

Intracellular antigen detection requires cell permeabilization, especially after fixation.
Fixation with agents like formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde necessitates permeabilization for antibody access.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide methods for permeabilizing cell membranes.
To explain the use of organic solvents and detergents for cell permeabilization.

Main Methods:

Utilizing organic solvents (methanol, acetone) to dissolve lipids and coagulate proteins.
Employing detergents (saponin, Triton X-100, Tween-20) to selectively or non-selectively alter membrane permeability.

Main Results:

Organic solvents fix and permeabilize cells simultaneously by dissolving membrane lipids.

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Permeabilization of Adhered Cells Using an Inert Gas Jet

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Saponin selectively removes cholesterol, creating pores in the cell membrane.

Non-selective detergents like Triton X-100 and Tween-20 may extract proteins.

Conclusions:

Effective cell permeabilization is essential for intracellular antigen detection.
Both organic solvents and detergents offer distinct mechanisms for achieving membrane permeability.
Choosing the appropriate permeabilization method depends on the specific experimental needs and potential for protein loss.