Lb. Crotti et al., Yeast cell permeabilization by osmotic shock allows determination of enzymatic activities in situ, ANALYT BIOC, 292(1), 2001, pp. 8-16
Yeast cells were permeabilized by incubation in 0.8 M sorbitol followed by
suspension in dilute buffer. A preincubation with 2-mercaptoethanol was als
o included for optimal permeabilization, More than 90% of the treated cells
were stainable with methylene blue, Determinations of cell wall-synthesizi
ng enzymes (beta (1 --> 3)glucan and chitin synthases) and cytosolic enzyme
s in permeabilized cells yielded similar or higher activities than those in
cell extracts. With chitin synthase III, the activity obtained with cells
was 4- to 6-fold higher than in membrane preparations. Little protein leaks
from the cells during permeabilization; Set the cells appear to be readily
permeable to substrates and even proteins. Thus, these preparations may be
of wide use for the study of enzymes and of biological processes in situ,
(C) 2001 Academic Press.