Abstract
The effects of the non-ionic surfactant Pluronic F-68 (0.01% w/v) on Tetrahymena cells have been studied. A marked protection against chemical and physical stress was observed. The chemical stress effects were studied in cells suspended in buffer (starvation) or in buffers with added ingredients from a chemically defined medium (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, trace metal ions). The physical stress was due to mechanical stress or hyperthermia. The data show that Pluronic: (a) prolongs the survival of low concentration cell suspensions during starvation; (b) prevents the cell death caused by low concentrations of Ca2+ (70 microM); (c) prolongs the survival of cells exposed to higher ion concentrations (10 mM Ca2+, or Na+ or K+); (d) postpones the death caused by trace metal ions like Zn2+, Fe3+ and, Cu2+; (e) protects cells from the death caused by shearing forces; and (f) prolongs the survival of cells exposed to hyperthermia (43 degrees C). The cellular survival is increased at reduced temperatures (e.g. 4 degrees C instead of 36 degrees C) and at increased cellular concentrations (e.g. 100 cells ml(-1) instead of 25 or 10 cells ml(-1)). There is no effect of pre-incubation with Pluronic. The protective effect of Pluronic towards Tetrahymena is observed for concentrations in the range from 0.001 to 0.1% w/v.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Biotechnology |
| Volume | 76 |
| Issue number | 2-3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 185-195 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| ISSN | 0168-1656 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 21 Jan 2000 |
Keywords
- Animals
- Calcium
- Cell Division
- Poloxamer
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Starvation
- Stress, Physiological
- Surface-Active Agents
- Tetrahymena thermophila