A pH-driven transition of the cytoplasm from a fluid- to a solid-like state promotes entry into dormancy
Munder MC, Midtvedt D, Franzmann T, Nueske E, Otto O, Herbig M, Ulbricht E, Mueller P, Taubenberger A, Maharana S, Malinovska L, Richter D, Guck J, Zaburdaev V, Alberti S (2016)
Publication Status: Published
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2016
Journal
Publisher: ELIFE SCIENCES PUBLICATIONS LTD
Book Volume: 5
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.09347
Abstract
Cells can enter into a dormant state when faced with unfavorable conditions. However, how cells enter into and recover from this state is still poorly understood. Here, we study dormancy in different eukaryotic organisms and find it to be associated with a significant decrease in the mobility of organelles and foreign tracer particles. We show that this reduced mobility is caused by an influx of protons and a marked acidification of the cytoplasm, which leads to widespread macromolecular assembly of proteins and triggers a transition of the cytoplasm to a solid-like state with increased mechanical stability. We further demonstrate that this transition is required for cellular survival under conditions of starvation. Our findings have broad implications for understanding alternative physiological states, such as quiescence and dormancy, and create a new view of the cytoplasm as an adaptable fluid that can reversibly transition into a protective solid-like state.
Authors with CRIS profile
Additional Organisation(s)
Involved external institutions
Technische Universität Dresden
Germany (DE)
Max-Planck-Institut für Physik komplexer Systeme (MPI PKS) / Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems
Germany (DE)
Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Zellbiologie und Genetik / Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG)
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Max-Planck-Institut für Physik komplexer Systeme (MPI PKS) / Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems
Germany (DE)
Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Zellbiologie und Genetik / Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG)
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Munder, M.C., Midtvedt, D., Franzmann, T., Nueske, E., Otto, O., Herbig, M.,... Alberti, S. (2016). A pH-driven transition of the cytoplasm from a fluid- to a solid-like state promotes entry into dormancy. eLife, 5. https://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.09347
MLA:
Munder, Matthias Christoph, et al. "A pH-driven transition of the cytoplasm from a fluid- to a solid-like state promotes entry into dormancy." eLife 5 (2016).
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