Homogenization of mammalian cultured cells.

Satisfactory homogenization of cultured cells is a necessary prerequisite to any fractionation schedule. Protocols are given for homogenization in iso-osmotic (A) and hypo-osmotic (B) media that should be broadly applicable to any cell type and to any subsequent fractionation procedure. Alternative procedures are also summarized in the Notes section, but detailed operation of some of the automated devices is beyond the scope of this short Protocol Article.