Hallmarks of Reversible Phase Separation in Living, Unperturbed Cell Membranes
Author | : Scott P. Rayermann |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 77 |
Release | : 2017 |
ISBN-10 | : OCLC:1014345862 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 ( Downloads) |
Download or read book Hallmarks of Reversible Phase Separation in Living, Unperturbed Cell Membranes written by Scott P. Rayermann and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 77 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Controversy has long surrounded the question of whether spontaneous lateral demixing of membranes into coexisting liquid phases can organize proteins and lipids on micron scales within unperturbed, living cells. A clear answer hinges on observation of hallmarks of a reversible phase transition. Here, by directly imaging micron-scale membrane domains of yeast vacuoles both in vivo and cell-free, we demonstrate that the domains arise through a phase separation mechanism. The domains are large, have smooth boundaries, and can merge quickly, consistent with fluid phases. Moreover, the domains disappear above a distinct miscibility transition temperature (Tmix) and reappear below Tmix, over multiple heating and cooling cycles. Hence, large-scale membrane organization in living cells under physiologically relevant conditions can be controlled by tuning a single thermodynamic parameter.