ESCRT Machinery Is Required for Plasma Membrane Repair

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 343; no. 6174; p. 986
• Main Authors: Jimenez, Ana Joaquina, Maiuri, Paolo, Lafaurie-Janvore, Julie, Divoux, Séverine, Piel, Matthieu, Perez, Franck
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 28.02.2014; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Bacterial Proteins - pharmacology; Calcium-Binding Proteins - genetics; Calcium-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Cell Cycle Proteins - genetics; Cell Cycle Proteins - metabolism; Cell Membrane - drug effects; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell Membrane - ultrastructure; Cellular biology; Digitonin - pharmacology; Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport - genetics; Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport - metabolism; Fluorescence; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Green Fluorescent Proteins - analysis; Green Fluorescent Proteins - metabolism; HeLa Cells; Humans; Kinetics; Lasers; Mathematical Models; Membranes; Plasma; Propidium - analysis; Propidium - metabolism; Proteins; Recruitment; RESEARCH ARTICLE SUMMARY; RNA, Small Interfering - genetics; Saponins - pharmacology; Streptolysins - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1247136

Plasma membrane damage can be triggered by numerous phenomena, and efficient repair is essential for cell survival. Endocytosis, membrane patching, or extracellular budding can be used for plasma membrane repair. We found that endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT), involved previously in membrane budding and fission, plays a critical role in plasma membrane repair. ESCRT proteins were recruited within seconds to plasma membrane wounds. Quantitative analysis of wound closure kinetics coupled to mathematical modeling suggested that ESCRTs are involved in the repair of small wounds. Real-time imaging and correlative scanning electron microscopy (SEM) identified extracellular buds and shedding at the site of ESCRT recruitment. Thus, the repair of certain wounds is ensured by ESCRT-mediated extracellular shedding of wounded portions.