Redistribution of polycations bound to lymphocytes.

The redistribution of surface-bound polycations on human lymphocytes and mouse-spleen lymphocytes was studied by fluorescence microscopy. A redistribution pattern after incubation with protamine, polylysine and DEAE-dextran resembling patching and capping processes was observed both at 20 degrees C and at 4 degrees C. The interaction between polycations and the cell surface is considered to represent non-specific binding to the membrane proteins. The redistribution process is regarded as precipitaion processes. This is in accordance with the finding that no effect on the binding and redistribution of polycations was noticed in the presence of NaN3, vinblastine sulphate, vincristine sulphate, colchichine, cytochalasin B or trypsin treatment. When incubation periods longer than 5 min. were employed beginning internalization of flourescent material is observed. Interaction with the nuclear membrane similarly resulted in rearrangements and capping.