Dielectric properties of yeast cells expressed with the motor protein prestin.
We report on the linear and nonlinear dielectric properties of budding yeast (S. cerevisiae) cells, one strain of which has been genetically modified to express prestin. This motor protein plays a crucial role in the large electromotility exhibited by the outer hair cells of mammalian inner ears. Live cell suspensions exhibit enormous dielectric responses, which can be used to probe metabolic activity, membrane potential, and other properties. The aims of this study are: (1) to compare the dielectric responses of organisms expressing prestin from those of control specimens, and (2) ultimately to further develop dielectric response as a tool to study live cells, proteins, and lipids.
Department of Physics and Texas Center for Superconductivity & Advanced Materials, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Road, Houston, Texas 77204-5005 U.S.A.
John H
JH
Miller
Dharmakeerthi
D
Nawarathna
David
D
Warmflash
Fred A
FA
Pereira
William E
WE
Brownell
S. cerevisiae; budding yeast; cochlea; dielectric spectroscopy; motor proteins; outer hair cells; prestin