Plasma membrane vesiculation: a new technique for isolation of plasma membranes.
Monolayer cell cultures of macrophages, monocytes, myoblasts, and density-inhibited and transformed fibroblasts form and release cell surface membrane vesicles following exposure to formaldehyde, related low-molecular-weight aldehydes, and disulfide blocking agents. Vesicles have a unique composition of proteins and lipids. They show enrichment of cholesterol and sphingomyelin content and a seven-to tenfold enrichment of 5'-nucleotidase activity. Vesicles also contain intramembranous particles and show a trilamellar unit membrane and no ultrastructural evidence of contamination with other cytoplasmic organelles. The technique is proposed as a novel method for isolating plasma membrane vesicles from cells in culture.
D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D005033:Ethylmaleimide; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009708:Nucleotidases / Q000032:analysis; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000032:analysis; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D006023:Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010743:Phospholipids; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D005557:Formaldehyde; D009708:Nucleotidases; D005033:Ethylmaleimide