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Redistribution of polycations bound to lymphocytes
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
|April 12, 1977
Summary
Polycations redistribute on lymphocyte surfaces via non-specific binding, forming patches and caps. This process, resembling precipitation, occurs at various temperatures and is not energy-dependent.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Polycations interact with cell surfaces.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for cell biology and immunology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the redistribution patterns of surface-bound polycations on lymphocytes.
- To elucidate the nature of polycation-lymphocyte interactions.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe polycation redistribution on human and mouse lymphocytes.
- Incubation with various polycations (protamine, polylysine, DEAE-dextran) at different temperatures (20°C and 4°C).
Main Results:
- Polycation incubation induced patching and capping on lymphocytes at both 20°C and 4°C.
- The redistribution process is consistent with non-specific binding to membrane proteins and precipitation.
- No significant effect on binding or redistribution was observed with metabolic inhibitors (NaN3, vinblastine, vincristine, colchicine, cytochalasin B) or trypsin treatment.
- Internalization of fluorescent material and nuclear membrane interactions were observed with longer incubation periods (>5 min).
Conclusions:
- Polycation redistribution on lymphocytes is a non-specific, precipitation-driven process.
- The observed patching and capping are not dependent on cellular energy or active cellular processes.
- Polycations can interact with and induce changes in the nuclear membrane as well.