Intracellular pH

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pH gradient across a membrane, with protons traveling through a transporter embedded in the membrane. Membrane pH gradient.jpg
pH gradient across a membrane, with protons traveling through a transporter embedded in the membrane.

Intracellular pH (pHi) is the measure of the acidity or basicity (i.e., pH) of intracellular fluid. The pHi plays a critical role in membrane transport and other intracellular processes. In an environment with the improper pHi, biological cells may have compromised function. [1] [2] Therefore, pHi is closely regulated in order to ensure proper cellular function, controlled cell growth, and normal cellular processes. [3] The mechanisms that regulate pHi are usually considered to be plasma membrane transporters of which two main types exist — those that are dependent and those that are independent of the concentration of bicarbonate (HCO
3
). Physiologically normal intracellular pH is most commonly between 7.0 and 7.4, though there is variability between tissues (e.g., mammalian skeletal muscle tends to have a pHi of 6.8–7.1). [4] [5] There is also pH variation across different organelles, which can span from around 4.5 to 8.0. [6] [7] pHi can be measured in a number of different ways. [3] [8]

Contents

Homeostasis

Intracellular pH is typically lower than extracellular pH due to lower concentrations of HCO3. [9] A rise of extracellular (e.g., serum) partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) above 45  mmHg leads to formation of carbonic acid, which causes a decrease of pHi as it dissociates: [10]

H2O + CO2 H2CO3 H+ + HCO3

Since biological cells contain fluid that can act as a buffer, pHi can be maintained fairly well within a certain range. [11] Cells adjust their pHi accordingly upon an increase in acidity or basicity, usually with the help of CO2 or HCO3 sensors present in the membrane of the cell. [3] These sensors can permit H+ to pass through the cell membrane accordingly, allowing for pHi to be interrelated with extracellular pH in this respect. [12]

Major intracellular buffer systems include those involving proteins or phosphates. Since the proteins have acidic and basic regions, they can serve as both proton donors or acceptors in order to maintain a relatively stable intracellular pH. In the case of a phosphate buffer, substantial quantities of weak acid and conjugate weak base (H2PO4 and HPO42–) can accept or donate protons accordingly in order to conserve intracellular pH: [13] [14]

OH + H2PO4 H2O + HPO42–
H+ + HPO42– H2PO4

In organelles

Approximate pHs of various organelles within a cell. PH of organelles.jpg
Approximate pHs of various organelles within a cell.

The pH within a particular organelle is tailored for its specific function.

For example, lysosomes have a relatively low pH of 4.5. [6] Additionally, fluorescence microscopy techniques have indicated that phagocytes also have a relatively low internal pH. [15] Since these are both degradative organelles that engulf and break down other substances, they require high internal acidity in order to successfully perform their intended function. [15]

In contrast to the relatively low pH inside lysosomes and phagocytes, the mitochondrial matrix has an internal pH of around 8.0, which is approximately 0.9 pH units higher than that of inside intermembrane space. [6] [16] Since oxidative phosphorylation must occur inside the mitochondria, this pH discrepancy is necessary to create a gradient across the membrane. This membrane potential is ultimately what allows for the mitochondria to generate large quantities of ATP. [17]

Protons being pumped from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space as the electron transport chain runs, lowering the pH of the intermembrane space. Mitochondria Intermembrane pH.jpg
Protons being pumped from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space as the electron transport chain runs, lowering the pH of the intermembrane space.

Measurement

There are several common ways in which intracellular pH (pHi) can be measured including with a microelectrode, dye that is sensitive to pH, or with nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. [18] [19] For measuring pH inside of organelles, a technique utilizing pH-sensitive green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) may be used. [20]

Overall, all three methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Using dyes is perhaps the easiest and fairly precise, while NMR presents the challenge of being relatively less precise. [18] Furthermore, using a microelectrode may be challenging in situations where the cells are too small, or the intactness of the cell membrane should remain undisturbed. [19] GFPs are unique in that they provide a noninvasive way of determining pH inside different organelles, yet this method is not the most quantitatively precise way of determining pH. [21]

Microelectrode

The microelectrode method for measuring pHi consists of placing a very small electrode into the cell’s cytosol by making a very small hole in the plasma membrane of the cell. [19] Since the microelectrode has fluid with a high H+ concentration inside, relative to the outside of the electrode, there is a potential created due to the pH discrepancy between the inside and outside of the electrode. [18] [19] From this voltage difference, and a predetermined pH for the fluid inside the electrode, one can determine the intracellular pH (pHi) of the cell of interest. [19]

Fluorescence spectroscopy

Another way to measure Intracellular pH (pHi) is with dyes that are sensitive to pH, and fluoresce differently at various pH values. [15] [22] This technique, which makes use of fluorescence spectroscopy, consists of adding this special dye to the cytosol of a cell. [18] [19] By exciting the dye in the cell with energy from light, and measuring the wavelength of light released by the photon as it returns to its native energy state, one can determine the type of dye present, and relate that to the intracellular pH of the given cell. [18] [19]

Nuclear magnetic resonance

In addition to using pH-sensitive electrodes and dyes to measure pHi, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy can also be used to quantify pHi. [19] NMR, typically speaking, reveals information about the inside of a cell by placing the cell in an environment with a potent magnetic field. [18] [19] Based on the ratio between the concentrations of protonated, compared to deprotonated, forms of phosphate compounds in a given cell, the internal pH of the cell can be determined. [18] Additionally, NMR may also be used to reveal the presence of intracellular sodium, which can also provide information about the pHi. [23]

Using NMR Spectroscopy, it has been determined that lymphocytes maintain a constant internal pH of 7.17± 0.06, though, like all cells, the intracellular pH changes in the same direction as extracellular pH. [24]

pH-sensitive GFPs

To determine the pH inside organelles, pH-sensitive GFPs are often used as part of a noninvasive and effective technique. [20] By using cDNA as a template along with the appropriate primers, the GFP gene can be expressed in the cytosol, and the proteins produced can target specific regions within the cell, such as the mitochondria, golgi apparatus, cytoplasm, and endoplasmic reticulum. [21] If certain GFP mutants that are highly sensitive to pH in intracellular environments are used in these experiments, the relative amount of resulting fluorescence can reveal the approximate surrounding pH. [21] [25]

Related Research Articles

Cell biology is a branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells. All living organisms are made of cells. A cell is the basic unit of life that is responsible for the living and functioning of organisms. Cell biology is the study of structural and functional units of cells. Cell biology encompasses both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and has many subtopics which may include the study of cell metabolism, cell communication, cell cycle, biochemistry, and cell composition. The study of cells is performed using several microscopy techniques, cell culture, and cell fractionation. These have allowed for and are currently being used for discoveries and research pertaining to how cells function, ultimately giving insight into understanding larger organisms. Knowing the components of cells and how cells work is fundamental to all biological sciences while also being essential for research in biomedical fields such as cancer, and other diseases. Research in cell biology is interconnected to other fields such as genetics, molecular genetics, molecular biology, medical microbiology, immunology, and cytochemistry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glutathione</span> Ubiquitous antioxidant compound in living organisms

Glutathione is an antioxidant in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria and archaea. Glutathione is capable of preventing damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species such as free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals. It is a tripeptide with a gamma peptide linkage between the carboxyl group of the glutamate side chain and cysteine. The carboxyl group of the cysteine residue is attached by normal peptide linkage to glycine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green fluorescent protein</span> Protein that exhibits bright green fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a protein that exhibits bright green fluorescence when exposed to light in the blue to ultraviolet range. The label GFP traditionally refers to the protein first isolated from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria and is sometimes called avGFP. However, GFPs have been found in other organisms including corals, sea anemones, zoanithids, copepods and lancelets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electrophysiology</span> Study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues.

Electrophysiology is the branch of physiology that studies the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues. It involves measurements of voltage changes or electric current or manipulations on a wide variety of scales from single ion channel proteins to whole organs like the heart. In neuroscience, it includes measurements of the electrical activity of neurons, and, in particular, action potential activity. Recordings of large-scale electric signals from the nervous system, such as electroencephalography, may also be referred to as electrophysiological recordings. They are useful for electrodiagnosis and monitoring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fluorescent tag</span>

In molecular biology and biotechnology, a fluorescent tag, also known as a fluorescent label or fluorescent probe, is a molecule that is attached chemically to aid in the detection of a biomolecule such as a protein, antibody, or amino acid. Generally, fluorescent tagging, or labeling, uses a reactive derivative of a fluorescent molecule known as a fluorophore. The fluorophore selectively binds to a specific region or functional group on the target molecule and can be attached chemically or biologically. Various labeling techniques such as enzymatic labeling, protein labeling, and genetic labeling are widely utilized. Ethidium bromide, fluorescein and green fluorescent protein are common tags. The most commonly labelled molecules are antibodies, proteins, amino acids and peptides which are then used as specific probes for detection of a particular target.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fluorescence microscope</span> Optical microscope that uses fluorescence and phosphorescence

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nile red</span> Chemical compound

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz</span> American biologist

Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz is a Senior Group Leader at Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Research Campus and a founding member of the Neuronal Cell Biology Program at Janelia. Previously, she was the Chief of the Section on Organelle Biology in the Cell Biology and Metabolism Program, in the Division of Intramural Research in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Institutes of Health from 1993 to 2016. Lippincott-Schwartz received her PhD from Johns Hopkins University, and performed post-doctoral training with Richard Klausner at the NICHD, NIH in Bethesda, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fluorescence in the life sciences</span> Scientific investigative technique

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Fluorescent chloride sensors are used for chemical analysis. The discoveries of chloride (Cl) participations in physiological processes stimulates the measurements of intracellular Cl in live cells and the development of fluorescent tools referred below.

Calcium imaging is a microscopy technique to optically measure the calcium (Ca2+) status of an isolated cell, tissue or medium. Calcium imaging takes advantage of calcium indicators, fluorescent molecules that respond to the binding of Ca2+ ions by fluorescence properties. Two main classes of calcium indicators exist: chemical indicators and genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECI). This technique has allowed studies of calcium signalling in a wide variety of cell types. In neurons, electrical activity is always accompanied by an influx of Ca2+ ions. Thus, calcium imaging can be used to monitor the electrical activity in hundreds of neurons in cell culture or in living animals, which has made it possible to dissect the function of neuronal circuits.

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