Rapid and Reversible Optical Switching of Cell Membrane Area by an Amphiphilic Azobenzene

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2023 Jun 23

PMID 37353493

Authors

Fabian Hoglsperger

Bart E Vos

Arne D Hofemeier

Maximilian D Seyfried

Bastian Stovesand

Azadeh Alavizargar

Leon Topp

Andreas Heuer

Timo Betz

Bart Jan Ravoo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cellular membrane area is a key parameter for any living cell that is tightly regulated to avoid membrane damage. Changes in area-to-volume ratio are known to be critical for cell shape, but are mostly investigated by changing the cell volume via osmotic shocks. In turn, many important questions relating to cellular shape, membrane tension homeostasis and local membrane area cannot be easily addressed because experimental tools for controlled modulation of cell membrane area are lacking. Here we show that photoswitching an amphiphilic azobenzene can trigger its intercalation into the plasma membrane of various mammalian cells ranging from erythrocytes to myoblasts and cancer cells. The photoisomerization leads to a rapid (250-500 ms) and highly reversible membrane area change (ca 2 % for erythrocytes) that triggers a dramatic shape modulation of living cells.

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