Enhanced membrane fluorescence subsequent to removal of surface components

What is it about?

In the present investigation, we demonstrate that the CDC (cycloheptaamylose-dansyl chloride) fluorescence response can be related to structural changes in membrane components of living ciliates occurred prior to labelling. In the experiments here reported, we examined Paramecium cells pretreated supravitally with trypsin.

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Why is it important?

Cytofluorimetric analysis of CDC-labelled Paramecium indicates that after mild trypsin removal of surface components the localization of CDC on the outer surface of living cells was not modified by the treatment. After such treatment the intensity of fluorescence emission was found about 3-fold higher in treated single cell than in the untreated one.

Perspectives

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These findings indicate that CDC labelling can be used to follow alteration occurred on the membrane of the living cell prior to labelling.

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