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Change in membrane organization induced by heat shock
C J Revathi1, A Chattopadhyay, U K Srinivas
1Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology International
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Heat shock rapidly alters liver cell membrane organization. Different fluorescent probes show opposite polarization changes, indicating a complex stress response in cellular membranes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cellular membranes maintain organization crucial for function.
- Heat shock is a significant cellular stressor impacting cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate in vivo changes in adult rat liver cell membrane organization following heat shock.
- To elucidate the role of fluorescent probes in monitoring membrane dynamics during stress.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of fluorescent probes 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and 1-[4-(trimethylammonio)phenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) into liver cells.
- Utilizing fluorescence polarization and intensity measurements to assess membrane order.
- Confirming DPH localization in the plasma membrane via fluorescence quenching with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonate (TNBS).
Main Results:
- Heat shock induced immediate changes in liver cell membrane organization and order.
- DPH and TMA-DPH probes exhibited opposing polarization changes upon heat shock.
- Differential probe localization within the membrane explains the observed opposite polarization trends.
Conclusions:
- Heat shock triggers rapid alterations in plasma membrane organization in liver cells.
- The observed changes suggest a conserved cellular stress response mechanism.
- Altered membrane organization may influence intracellular signaling and organelle function.