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Probing the structure of water in individual living cells

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaoqi Lang

    (Columbia University)

  • Lixue Shi

    (Fudan University)

  • Zhilun Zhao

    (Columbia University)

  • Wei Min

    (Columbia University)

Abstract

Water regulates or even governs a wide range of biological processes. Despite its fundamental importance, surprisingly little is known about the structure of intracellular water. Herein we employ a Raman micro-spectroscopy technique to uncover the composition, abundance and vibrational spectra of intracellular water in individual living cells. In three different cell types, we show a small but consistent population (~3%) of non-bulk-like water. It exhibits a weakened hydrogen-bonded network and a more disordered tetrahedral structure. We attribute this population to biointerfacial water located in the vicinity of biomolecules. Moreover, our whole-cell modeling suggests that all soluble (globular) proteins inside cells are surrounded by, on average, one full molecular layer (about 2.6 Angstrom) of biointerfacial water. Furthermore, relative invariance of biointerfacial water is observed among different single cells. Overall, our study not only opens up experimental possibilities of interrogating water structure in vivo but also provides insights into water in life.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoqi Lang & Lixue Shi & Zhilun Zhao & Wei Min, 2024. "Probing the structure of water in individual living cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49404-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49404-9
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