Abstract 347: Revealing the intracellular cytomatrix, immobilized biocatalysis, and concept of the operating cell

Abstract

Abstract The central problem of cell biology is the arrangement of biochemical reactions in the cytoplasm responsible for sustaining cellular life where, paradoxically, a myriad of metabolic reactions that could exclude each other coincide. Despite this well understood fact, the structural organization of the cytoplasm remains unclear, so far. Recent models indicate that cytoplasm contains viscous fluid and elastic solid phases. We separated the viscous fluid and elastic solid compartments, identifying them as the cytosol and cytomatrix, respectively. The distinctive composition of the cytomatrix included structural proteins, ribosomes, and metabolome enzymes. High-throughput analysis revealed unique biosynthetic pathways within the cytomatrix. The enrichment of biosynthetic pathways in the cytomatrix indicated the presence of immobilized biocatalysis. Enzymatic immobilization and segregation can surmount spatial impediments, and the local pathway segregation may form cytoplasmic organelles. Protein translation was reprogrammed within the cytomatrix under the restriction of protein synthesis by drug treatment. Thus, cytosol and cytomatrix are an elaborately interconnected network that promotes operational flexibility in healthy cells and the survival of malignant cells. Immobilized biocatalysis integrates the intracellular and extracellular matrices and receptors with the nuclear processes, thus removing the spatial hindrances for biochemical processes, which elucidates human cell operation. Citation Format: Tattym E. Shaiken. Revealing the intracellular cytomatrix, immobilized biocatalysis, and concept of the operating cell [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 347.