The secretion-coupled endocytosis correlates with membrane tension changes in RBL 2H3 cells

Jianwu Dai, H. Ping Ting-Beall, Michael P. Sheetz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

114 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stimulated secretion in endocrine cells and neuronal synapses causes a rise in endocytosis rates to recover the added membrane. The endocytic process involves the mechanical deformation of the membrane to produce an invagination. Studies of osmotic swelling effects on endocytosis indicate that the increased surface tension is tightly correlated to a significant decrease of endocytosis. When rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells are stimulated to secrete, there is a dramatic drop in the membrane tension and only small changes in membrane bending stiffness. Neither the shape change that normally accompanies secretion nor the binding of ligand without secretion causes a drop in tension. Further, tension decreases within 6 s, preceding shape change and measurable changes in endocytosis. After secretion stops, tension recovers. On the basis of these results we suggest that the physical parameter of membrane tension is a major regulator of endocytic rate in RBL cells. Low tensions would stimulate endocytosis and high tensions would stall the endocytic machinery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of General Physiology
Volume110
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1997
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Endocytosis
  • Laser tweezers
  • Membrane tension
  • Membrane tether
  • Secretion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology

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