Cholesterol is enriched in the sphingolipid patches on the substrate near nonpolarized MDCK cells, but not in the sphingolipid domains in their plasma membranes

Ashley N. Yeager, Peter K. Weber, Mary L. Kraft

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Information about the distributions of cholesterol and sphingolipids within the plasma membranes of mammalian cells provides insight into the roles of these molecules in membrane function. In this report, high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry was used to image the distributions of metabolically incorporated rare isotope-labeled sphingolipids and cholesterol on the surfaces of nonpolarized epithelial cells. Sphingolipid domains that were not enriched with cholesterol were detected in the plasma membranes of subconfluent Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Surprisingly, cholesterol-enriched sphingolipid patches were observed on the substrate adjacent to these cells. Based on the shapes of these cholesterol-enriched sphingolipid patches on the substrate and their proximity to cellular projections, we hypothesize that they are deposits of membranous particles released by the cell.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2004-2011
Number of pages8
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes
Volume1860
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2018

Keywords

  • Cholesterol
  • Lipid domains
  • Madin-Darby canine kidney cells
  • Secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging
  • Sphingolipids
  • Stable isotope labeling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cholesterol is enriched in the sphingolipid patches on the substrate near nonpolarized MDCK cells, but not in the sphingolipid domains in their plasma membranes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this