A pH-driven transition of the cytoplasm from a fluid- to a solid-like state promotes entry into dormancy
Journal article, 2016

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.

Author

Matthias Munder

Max Planck Society

Daniel Midtvedt

Max Planck Society

Titus Franzmann

Max Planck Society

Elisabeth Nuske

Max Planck Society

Oliver Otto

Technische Universität Dresden

Maik Herbig

Technische Universität Dresden

Elke Ulbricht

Technische Universität Dresden

Paul Müller

Technische Universität Dresden

Anna Taubenberger

Technische Universität Dresden

Shovamayee Maharana

Max Planck Society

Liliana Malikovska

Max Planck Society

Doris Richter

Max Planck Society

Jochen Guck

Technische Universität Dresden

Vasily Zaburdaev

Max Planck Society

Simon Alberti

Max Planck Society

eLife

2050084x (eISSN)

e09347

Subject Categories

Immunology in the medical area

Biophysics

Medical Biotechnology (with a focus on Cell Biology (including Stem Cell Biology), Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or Biopharmacy)

DOI

10.7554/eLife.09347

More information

Latest update

8/22/2019