What method can be used to disrupt cell membranes for GFP extraction?

Mechanical disruption or sonication is an effective method for disrupting cell membranes during the extraction of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP). This approach utilizes physical means to break down the cell walls, thereby releasing the intracellular contents, including proteins like GFP, into solution.

Mechanical disruption usually involves high shear forces or intense sonic waves applied to the cell suspension. Sonication uses ultrasonic sound waves to create cavitation bubbles in the liquid, which implode and create shock waves. This agitation can effectively break the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane, leading to cell lysis and facilitating the release of the target protein.

While chemical treatment can also disrupt cell membranes by using detergents or solvents, it may not be as efficient for all cell types or desired results as mechanical disruption. Filtration is generally not a method for disrupting membranes but is instead used to remove particles from a solution, and freeze-thaw cycles can cause some cell lysis, but they are often less effective at producing consistent and complete disruption compared to mechanical methods. Thus, mechanical disruption through sonication is commonly preferred for optimal GFP extraction.