Cell surface blebbing is an early, reversible characteristic of anoxia
described in several different cell types. Blebbing may lead to the f
ormation of large terminal blebs, and ultimately cell death upon ruptu
re of the membrane. In the present work, evidence is presented indicat
ing that P-1 may be the immediate mediator of cell surface blebbing:(1
) cell surface blebbing can be induced in normotoxic Ehrlich ascites t
umour cells by a high extracellular concentration of P-1, leading to a
n increase in the cellular P-1 concentration; (2) anoxia induces susta
ined elevation of the cellular P-1 concentration and (3) cell surface
blebbing during anoxia is reversed upon reoxygenation, and the disappe
arance of blebbing depends on the decrease in cellular P-1 concentrati
on. The rate of disappearance of blebbing may be enhanced by the simul
taneous addition of adenine and inosine to the growth medium. This lea
ds to a decrease in cellular P-1 concentration and to an almost comple
te restoration of the cellular ATP concentration. It is suggested that
P-1 is an important mediator of anoxia induced cell damage.