Hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane potential provokes reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and increases the stability of adherens junctions in bovine corneal endothelial cells in culture
Posted by Ernesto on Monday, 2 June 2025
Autores:
Verónica Nin 1, Julio A Hernández 2, Silvia Chifflet 3
Revista (o libro):
Cell Motil Cytoskeleton
Año:
2009
Mes-dia:
1200
issue, vol, paginas, etc:
66(12):1087-99
doi:
10.1002/cm.20416
PMID:
19753628
Abstract:
In previous works we showed that the depolarization of the plasma membrane potential (PMP) determines a reorganization of the cytoskeleton of diverse epithelia in culture, consisting mainly of a reallocation of peripheral actin toward the cell center, ultimately provoking intercellular disruption. In view of this evidence, we explored in this study the possible effects of membrane potential hyperpolarization on the cytoskeletal organization and adherens junction (AJ) morphology and the stability of confluent bovine corneal endothelial cells in culture. For this purpose, hyperpolarization was achieved by substitution of extracellular sodium by nondiffusible cations or via the incorporation of valinomycin to the control solution. Actin compactness at the cell periphery was assessed by quantitative analysis of fluorescence microscopy images. The stability of the AJ was challenged by calcium deprivation or temperature decrease. Our results showed that plasma membrane hyperpolarization provokes a compaction of AJ-associated actin filaments toward the plasma membrane and an increase in the stability of the AJs. We also observed that the hyperpolarizing procedures determined similar modifications in the actin cytoskeleton of endothelial cells in whole bovine corneas. Together with our previous work, the results of this study contribute to the idea that modifications in the PMP of nonexcitable cells participate in cellular adaptive responses involving reorganization of cytoskeletal components.
Afiliaciones:
1 Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
2 Sección Biofísica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
3 Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
Enlace pubmed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19753628/
Enlace full text:
https://doi.org/10.1002/cm.20416
Cita:
Nin V, Hernández JA, Chifflet S. Hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane potential provokes reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and increases the stability of adherens junctions in bovine corneal endothelial cells in culture. Cell Motil Cytoskeleton. 2009 Dec;66(12):1087-99. doi: 10.1002/cm.20416. PMID: 19753628.