Cells in Slow Motion: Apparent Undercooling Increases Glassy Behavior at Physiological Temperatures


Schnauss, Joerg, Kunschmann, Tom, Grosser, Steffen, Mollenkopf, Paul, Zech, Tobias ORCID: 0000-0001-8394-088X, Freitag, Jessica S, Prascevic, Dusan, Stange, Roland, Roettger, Luisa S, Roenicke, Susanne et al (show 3 more authors) (2021) Cells in Slow Motion: Apparent Undercooling Increases Glassy Behavior at Physiological Temperatures. ADVANCED MATERIALS, 33 (29). e2101840-.

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Abstract

Solvent conditions are unexpectedly sufficient to drastically and reversibly slow down cells. In vitro on the molecular level, protein-solvent interactions drastically change in the presence of heavy water (D<sub>2</sub> O) and its stronger hydrogen bonds. Adding D<sub>2</sub> O to the cell medium of living cells increases the molecular intracellular viscosity. While cell morphology and phenotype remain unchanged, cellular dynamics transform into slow motion in a changeable manner. This is exemplified in the slowdown of cell proliferation and migration, which is caused by a reversible gelation of the cytoplasm. In analogy to the time-temperature superposition principle, where temperature is replaced by D<sub>2</sub> O, an increase in viscosity slows down the effective time. Actin networks, crucial structures in the cytoplasm, switch from a power-law-like viscoelastic to a more rubber-like elastic behavior. The resulting intracellular resistance and dissipation impair cell movement. Since cells are highly adaptive non-equilibrium systems, they usually respond irreversibly from a thermodynamic perspective. D<sub>2</sub> O induced changes, however, are fully reversible and their effects are independent of signaling as well as expression. The stronger hydrogen bonds lead to glass-like, drawn-out intramolecular dynamics, which may facilitate longer storage times of biological matter, for instance, during transport of organ transplants.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: actin, cell mechanics, cell motility, glassy dynamics, heavy water, time-temperature superposition
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 27 Apr 2021 07:20
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2023 22:50
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202101840
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3120638
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