Microviscosity changes during differentiation of neuroblastoma cells.
Microviscosity (eta) of the plasma-membrane lipid matrix was measured in exponentially growing and differentiating C1300 mouse neuroblastoma cells, attached to a glass substratum, by fluorescence polarisation of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. Upon differentiation eta decreases progressively, reaching values below those observed in the growth phase. Treatment of the cells with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles reversibly inhibits morphological differentiation. The results show that a high membrane fluidity is a prerequisite for differentiation.
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013696:Temperature; D014783:Viscosity