Phosphatidylserine plasma membrane asymmetry in vivo: a pancellular phenomenon which alters during apoptosis (original) (raw)

Cell Death & Differentiation volume 4, pages 311–316 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

The distribution of phospholipids across the two leaflets of the plasma membrane is important for many cellular processes including phagocytosis and hemostasis. In the present study we investigated the in vivo plasma membrane distribution of the aminophospholipid phosphatidylserine in mouse embryos with a novel technique employing Annexin V, a Ca2+ dependent phosphatidylserine binding protein, conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate and biotin. Annexin V directly applied to cryostat sections labeled the plasma membrane of all cells at the interface. In contrast, Annexin V injected intracardially into viable mouse embryos labeled almost exclusively apoptotic cells. These apoptotic cells were visible in all tissues and derived from all germ layers. Our experiments demonstrate that phosphatidylserine is asymmetrically distributed between the two leaflets of the plasma membrane in virtually all cell types in vivo and that this asymmetry is lost early during apoptosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Institute of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
    Stefan M Van den Eijnde & Lenard Boshart
  2. Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Limburg State University, The Netherlands
    Chris PM Reutelingsperger
  3. Department of Anatomy, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
    Chris I De Zeeuw & Christl Vermeij-Keers
  4. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
    Christl Vermeij-Keers

Authors

  1. Stefan M Van den Eijnde
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  2. Lenard Boshart
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  3. Chris PM Reutelingsperger
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  4. Chris I De Zeeuw
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  5. Christl Vermeij-Keers
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Correspondence toStefan M Van den Eijnde.

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Edited by A.H. Wyllie

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Van den Eijnde, S., Boshart, L., Reutelingsperger, C. et al. Phosphatidylserine plasma membrane asymmetry in vivo: a pancellular phenomenon which alters during apoptosis.Cell Death Differ 4, 311–316 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.cdd.4400241

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