Cellular infrared detector appears to be contained in the centrosome

Guenter Albrecht‐Buehler*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previous experiments have suggested that 3T3 cells were able to extend pseudopodia toward latex particles up to 60 μm away from the cell body if the particles were irradiated by an infrared beam in the range of 700–900 nm [Albrecht‐Buehler, 1991: J. Cell Biol. 114:493–502]. The present article reports that this response of cells to infrared light can be inhibited if the cell center is simultaneously irradiated with a beam of the same light. In marked contrast, the cells responded normally to the presence of infrared light scattering particles if the second beam irradiated other parts of the cell body. The results imply that the cellular mechanism of infrared detection is located at the cell center. The infrared sensing mechanism remains intact in enucleated cells and in cells which were incubated in monensin to vesiculate their Golgi apparatus and inhibit their Golgi functions. Accordingly, it is proposed that the centrosome which contains the centrioles is the only remaining candidate in the cell center for a cellular detection device for the direction of infrared signal sources. The results support an earlier suggestion that centrioles may be such detection devices [Albrecht‐Buehler, 1981: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 1:237–245]. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)262-271
Number of pages10
JournalCell Motility and the Cytoskeleton
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994

Keywords

  • 3T3 cells
  • cell motility
  • centrosome
  • infrared
  • phototaxis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Structural Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cellular infrared detector appears to be contained in the centrosome'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this