Solvation dynamics and intermittent oscillation of cell membrane: live Chinese hamster ovary cell

J Phys Chem B. 2014 Mar 20;118(11):2949-56. doi: 10.1021/jp412631d. Epub 2014 Mar 7.

Abstract

Dynamics of the exofacial thiols (i.e., cell surface thiol containing membrane proteins) of a live Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell is probed by time-resolved confocal microscopy. For this purpose, a fluorescent probe, 7-(diethylamino)-3-(4-maleimidophenyl)-4-methylcoumarin (CPM) is covalently attached to the exofacial thiols. The emission maximum of CPM bound exofacial thiols indicates a highly exposed and polar environment. Using CPM, we studied solvation dynamics, for the first time, at the membrane of a live cell. The thiol containing membrane proteins shows ultraslow response with average solvation time, ⟨τs⟩ = 475 ps. CPM labeled exofacial thiols also show spontaneous, intermittent oscillation in fluorescence intensity with a period of 0.5-1.0 s. This is ascribed to reversible, intermittent changes in the structure and conformation of the membrane proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Molecular Structure
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / chemistry*
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / metabolism

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds