Abstract
The acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen provides an optimal milieu for the acid hydrolases and is also essential for fusion/fission of endo-lysosomal compartments and sorting of cargo. Evidence suggests that maintaining lysosomal acidity is essential to avoid disease. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for analyzing the lysosomal pH in cultured cells using the fluorescent probe fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran together with a dual-emission ratiometric technique suitable for flow cytometry. Fluorescence-labeled dextran is endocytosed and accumulated in the lysosomal compartment. FITC shows a pH-dependent variation in fluorescence when analyzed at maximum emission wavelength and no variation when analyzing at the isosbestic point, thereby the ratio can be used to determine the lysosomal pH. A standard curve is obtained by equilibrating intralysosomal pH with extracellular pH using the ionophore nigericin. The protocol also includes information regarding procedures to induce lysosomal alkalinization and lysosomal membrane permeabilization.
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Eriksson, I., Öllinger, K., Appelqvist, H. (2017). Analysis of Lysosomal pH by Flow Cytometry Using FITC-Dextran Loaded Cells. In: Öllinger, K., Appelqvist, H. (eds) Lysosomes. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1594. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6934-0_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6934-0_11
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