Cell synchronization: Difference between revisions

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'''Cell synchronization''' is a process by which cells in a culture at different stages of the [[cell cycle]] are brought to the same phase. Cell synchrony is a vital process in the study of cells progressing through the cell cycle as it allows population-wide data to be collected rather than relying solely on single-cell experiments. The types of synchronization are broadly categorized into two groups; physical fractionization and chemical blockade.

==Physical Separation==

Physical fractionation is a process by which continuously dividing cells are separated into phase-enriched populations based on characteristics such as the following:

*Cell density.

*Cell size

*The presence of cell surface [[epitope]]s marked by [[antibodies]]

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=== Arrest in G1 ===

A single commonly- used chemical method exists for synchronization of cells in G1. It involves [[Lovastatin]], a reversible competitive inhibitor of [[HMG-CoA reductase|3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase]], an enzyme vital in the production of [[mevalonic acid]]. Mevalonic acid is a key intermediate in the [[mevalonate pathway]] responsible for synthesis of [[cholesterol]]. Addition of cholesterol to Lovastatin-treated cells does not undo the arrest affect, so Lovastatin appears to inhibit the formation of some early intermediate in the pathway that is essential for progression through early G1.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Keyomarsi|first1=Khandan|last2=Sandoval|first2=Larue|last3=Band|first3=Vilma|last4=Pardee|first4=Arthur B.|date=1 July 1991|title=Synchronization of Tumor and Normal Cells from G1 to Multiple Cell Cycles by Lovastatin|journal=Cancer Research|volume=51|issue=13|pages=3602–3609|pmid=1711413}}</ref>

== Other Methods of Synchronization ==

=== Mitotic Selection ===

Mitotic selection is a drug-free procedure for the selection of mitotic cells from a monolayer undergoing exponential growth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Mitotic_cell_selection|title=Mitotic cell selection|date=3 October 2005|website=Biology Online Dictionary|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402073007/https://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Mitotic_cell_selection|url-status=dead}}</ref> During mitosis, cells undergo changes in morphology, and mitotic selection takes advantage of this in adherent cells grown in a [[monolayer]]. The cells become more spherical, decreasing the surface area of cell membrane attached to the culture plate. Mitotic cells can therefore be completely detached by gently shaking and collected from the [[Precipitation (chemistry)|supernatant]].<ref name=":0" />

===Nutrient/Serum Deprivation===

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=== Contact Inhibition ===

Contact inhibition occurs when cells are allowed to grow to high or full confluence, maximizing cell-to-cell contact. This triggers arrest in early G1 in normal cells. Arrest is reversed by replating cells at a lower density.<ref name=":1" /> Because of the proliferation-promoting mutations intrinsic to cancer, tumor cell lines are not usually able to undergo contact inhibition, though there are exceptions.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Zeng|first1=Qi|last2=Hong|first2=Wanjin|date=11 March 2008|title=The Emerging Role of the Hippo Pathway in Cell Contact Inhibition, Organ Size Control, and Cancer Development in Mammals|journal=Cancer Cell|volume=13|issue=3|pages=188–192|doi=10.1016/j.ccr.2008.02.011|pmid=18328423|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==External links==

*[https://archive.today/20141014163501/http://www.scienceboard.net/protocol/29/metaphase-block-for-cell-synchronization Cell synchronization protocol]

==References==

{{reflist}}