Intracellular osmotic action.

R P Rand, V A Parsegian, D C Rau

Journal: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2000;57(7):1018-32

PMID: 10961342

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Abstract

Water often acts as a critical reactant in cellular reactions. Its role can be detected by modulating water activity with osmotic agents. We describe the principles behind this 'osmotic stress' strategy, and survey the ubiquity of water effects on molecular structures that have aqueous, solute-excluding regions. These effects are seen with single-functioning molecules such as membrane channels and solution enzymes, as well as in the molecular assembly of actin, the organization of DNA and the specificity of protein/DNA interactions.

Address: Department of Biological Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1007/PL00000742

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https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00000742

MeSH Terms: Actins, DNA, Hemoglobins, Hexokinase, Humans, Intracellular Fluid, Ion Channels, Osmotic Pressure, Protein Binding, Solutions, Water