An Improved Method for the Isolation of Surface Membranes from Cells in Monolayer Culture

Abstract

A modification of the procedure reported by Scher and Barland (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 255 (1972) 580–588) for the isolation of the surface membranes of cells grown in monolayer culture is described. The modification involves addition of a purification step utilizing the two-phase polymer system described by Brunette and Till (J. Membr. Biol. 5 (1971) 215–224). The modified method permits the isolation of surface membranes from cells not yet at confluence, when they may easily become detached from the substratum.