Deformation of intracellular endosomes under a magnetic field

We present a non-invasive method to monitor the membrane tension of intracellular organelles using a magnetic field as an external control parameter. By exploiting the spontaneous endocytosis of anionic colloidal ferromagnetic nanoparticles, we obtain endosomes possessing a superparamagnetic lumen i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European biophysics journal 2003-11, Vol.32 (7), p.655-660
Main Authors: Wilhelm, C, Cebers, A, Bacri, J-C, Gazeau, F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cell Membrane - physiology
Cell Membrane - radiation effects
Cell Membrane - ultrastructure
Cell Size - physiology
Cell Size - radiation effects
Deformation
Elasticity
Electromagnetic Fields
Endosomes - physiology
Endosomes - radiation effects
Endosomes - ultrastructure
Ferric Compounds
In situ measurement
Magnetic fields
Mechanotransduction, Cellular - physiology
Membrane Fluidity - radiation effects
Membranes
Micromanipulation - instrumentation
Micromanipulation - methods
Monitoring methods
Nanoparticles
Physical Stimulation
Stress, Mechanical
Tension
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Summary:We present a non-invasive method to monitor the membrane tension of intracellular organelles using a magnetic field as an external control parameter. By exploiting the spontaneous endocytosis of anionic colloidal ferromagnetic nanoparticles, we obtain endosomes possessing a superparamagnetic lumen in eukaryotic cells. Initially flaccid, the endosomal membrane undulates because of thermal fluctuations, restricted in zero field by the resting tension and the curvature energy of the membrane. When submitted to a uniform magnetic field, the magnetized endosomes elongate along the field, resulting in the flattening of the entropic membrane undulations. The quantification of the endosome deformation for different magnetic fields allows in situ measurement of the resting tension and the bending stiffness of the membrane enclosing the intracellular organelle.
ISSN:0175-7571
1432-1017
DOI:10.1007/s00249-003-0312-0