Multiple thermotropic phase transitions in Escherichia coli membranes and membrane lipids. A comparison of results obtained by nitroxyl stearate paramagnetic resonance, pyrene excimer fluorescence, and enzyme activity measurements

Real-time measurements of milk fat globule membrane modulation during simulated intestinal digestion using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Milk Fat Globules with their unique interfacial structure and membrane composition are a key nutritional source for mammalian infants, however, there is a limited understanding of the dynamics of fat digestion in these structures. Lipid digestion is an interfacial process involving interactions of enzymes and bile salts with the interface of suspended lipid droplets in an aqueous environment. In this study, we have developed an electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy approach to evaluate real time dynamics of milk fat globules interfacial structure during simulated intestinal digestion. To measure these dynamics, natural milk fat globule membrane was labeled with EPR-active probe, partitioning of EPR probes into MFGs membrane was validated using saturation-recovery measurements and calculation of the depth parameter Φ. After validation, the selected spin probe was used to evaluate the membrane's fluidity as a measure of the interface's modulation in the presence of bile salts and pancreatic lipase. Independently, bile salts were found to have a rigidifying effect on the spin probed MFGM, while pancreatic lipase resulted in an increase in membrane fluidity. When combined, the effect of lipase appears to be diminished in the presence of bile salts. These results indicate the efficacy of EPR in providing an insight into small time scale molecular dynamics of phospholipid interfaces in milk fat globules. Understanding interfacial dynamics of naturally occurring complex structures can significantly aid in understanding the role of interfacial composition and structural complexity in delivery of nutrients during digestion.

Study of Intermolecular Interactions of CTAB with Amino Acids at Different Temperatures: A Multi Technique Approach

The densities, ρ, viscosities, η and specific conductivities κ, of (0.0002, 0.0004, 0.0006 and 0.0008 m) CTAB in 0.1 m aqueous valine, leucine and isoleucine were measured at different temperatures. The measured data were used to calculate various useful thermodynamic parameters. A complete characterization of any mixture can be performed by means of these thermodynamic properties. The apparent molar volume, ϕv , partial molar volume, ϕ v 0 $\phi _v^0$ and partial molar isobaric expansibilities, ϕ E 0 , $\phi _E^0,$ were calculated using density data. The viscosity data were analyzed using Jones–Dole equation to obtain viscosity coefficients, A- and B-, free energy of activation per mole of solvent, Δμ 1°∗, and solute, Δμ 2°∗, enthalpy, ΔH ∗ and entropy, ΔS ∗ of activation of viscous flow. Measuring the changes in these properties has been found to be an excellent qualitative and quantitative way to obtain information regarding the molecular structure and intermolecular interactions occurring in these mixtures. Various structure-making/breaking ability of solute (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) in presence of aqueous amino acid solutions were discussed. In addition, fluorescence study using pyrene as a photophysical probe has been carried out, the results of which support the conclusions obtained from other techniques.

Interleaflet Coupling, Pinning, and Leaflet Asymmetry-Major Players in Plasma Membrane Nanodomain Formation

The plasma membrane has a highly asymmetric distribution of lipids and contains dynamic nanodomains many of which are liquid entities surrounded by a second, slightly different, liquid environment. Contributing to the dynamics is a continuous repartitioning of components between the two types of liquids and transient links between lipids and proteins, both to extracellular matrix and cytoplasmic components, that temporarily pin membrane constituents. This make plasma membrane nanodomains exceptionally challenging to study and much of what is known about membrane domains has been deduced from studies on model membranes at equilibrium. However, living cells are by definition not at equilibrium and lipids are distributed asymmetrically with inositol phospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylserines confined mostly to the inner leaflet and glyco- and sphingolipids to the outer leaflet. Moreover, each phospholipid group encompasses a wealth of species with different acyl chain combinations whose lateral distribution is heterogeneous. It is becoming increasingly clear that asymmetry and pinning play important roles in plasma membrane nanodomain formation and coupling between the two lipid monolayers. How asymmetry, pinning, and interdigitation contribute to the plasma membrane organization is only beginning to be unraveled and here we discuss their roles and interdependence.

Membrane rafts of the human red blood cell

The cell type of election for the study of cell membranes, the mammalian non-nucleated erythrocyte, has been scarcely considered in the research of membrane rafts of the plasma membrane. However, detergent-resistant-membranes (DRM) were actually first described in human erythrocytes, as a fraction resisting solubilization by the nonionic detergent Triton X-100. These DRMs were insoluble entities of high density, easily pelleted by centrifugation, as opposed to the now accepted concept of lipid raft-like membrane fractions as material floating in low-density regions of sucrose gradients. The present article reviews the available literature on membrane rafts/DRMs in human erythrocytes from an historical point of view, describing the experiments that provided the solution to the above described discrepancy and suggesting possible avenue of research in the field of membrane rafts that, moving from the most studied model of living cell membrane, the erythrocyte's, could be relevant also for other cell types.

A critical survey of methods to detect plasma membrane rafts

The plasma membrane is still one of the enigmatic cellular structures. Although the microscopic structure is getting clearer, not much is known about the organization at the nanometre level. Experimental difficulties have precluded unambiguous approaches, making the current picture rather fuzzy. In consequence, a variety of different membrane models has been proposed over the years, on the basis of different experimental strategies. Recent data obtained via high-resolution single-molecule microscopy shed new light on the existing hypotheses. We thus think it is a good time for reviewing the consistency of the existing models with the new data. In this paper, we summarize the available models in ten propositions, each of which is discussed critically with respect to the applied technologies and the strengths and weaknesses of the approaches. Our aim is to provide the reader with a sound basis for his own assessment. We close this chapter by exposing our picture of the membrane organization at the nanoscale.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of CTX-M-14 extended-spectrum β-lactamase and plasmid-mediated ACT-like AmpC β-lactamase produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from chickens in Henan Province, China

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC β-lactamases produced by a clinical isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae from chickens were detected with confirmatory phenotypic tests of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of 18 antibacterial drugs against K. pneumoniae were determined by the 2-fold microdilution method. The genotype and subtype of the ESBL-producing and AmpC β-lactamase-producing K. pneumoniae isolate were identified by PCR amplification of the enzyme-encoding genes followed by DNA sequencing analysis. K. pneumoniae K(1) isolate was an ESBL-producing and AmpC β-lactamase-producing bacteria with high resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillins, third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides. The sequence analysis showed that K. pneumoniae K(1) harbored TEM-type, SHV-type, CTX-M-type, and ACT-type AmpC β-lactamase nucleotide sequences. The TEM-type sequence was designated as TEM-1; the SHV-type sequence was designated as SHV-11; the CTX-M-type sequence was designated as CTX-M-14. Compared with the ACT-like sequence (EF078894), the ACT-type sequence was characterized by 8 nucleotide mutations (A(75)G, C(84)G, T(90)C, A(105)G, G(213)A, G(246)A, C(309)T, and T(315)C). Only one mutation at position 75 led to an amino acid substitution (Asn28Lys). The bla(ACT) type was an ACT-like derivative.

Evaluation of cell damage caused by cold sampling and quenching for metabolome analysis

Cell damage during sampling and quenching for metabolome analysis have been investigated at whole sample level using an OD-based method and ATP loss investigation, and at single cell level by means of flow cytometry. Escherichia coli was cultivated in shake flasks and sampled into several cold quenching solutions during exponential growth phase varying quenching solution composition and sampling temperature. For single cell analysis, the samples were incubated with selective propidium iodide dye and analysed via flow cytometry to differentiate between intact and damaged cells. It was found that every combination of quenching solution, temperature, or cooling rate tested influenced the E. coli cell membrane integrity indicating rupture which will not only let the dye in, but also intracellular ATP out of the cells, which is not desired in in vivo metabolome analysis.

Structural alterations of erythrocyte membrane components induced by exhaustive exercise

Physical exercise was used as a model of the physiological modulator of free radical production to examine the effects of exercise-induced oxidative modifications on the physico-biochemical properties of erythrocyte membrane. The aim of our work was to investigate conformational changes of erythrocyte membrane proteins, membrane fluidity, and membrane susceptibility to disintegration. Venous blood was taken before, immediately after, and 1 h after an exhaustive incremental cycling test (30 W·min–1ramp), performed by 11 healthy untrained males on balanced diets (mean age, 22 ± 2 years; mean body mass index, 25 ± 4.5 kg·m–2). In response to this exercise, individual maximum heart rate was 195 ± 12 beats·min–1and maximum wattage was 292 ± 27 W. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to investigate alterations in membrane proteins and membrane dynamics, and to measure production of radical species. The reducing potential of plasma (RPP) was measured using the reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the ferric-reducing ability of plasma. Exercise induced decreases in erythrocyte membrane fluidity in the polar region (p < 0.0001) and alterations in the conformational state of membrane proteins (p < 0.05). An increase in RPP was observed immediately after exercise (p < 0.001), with a further increase 1 h postexercise (p < 0.0001). Supporting measurements of lipid peroxidation showed an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances immediately after exercise (p < 0.05) and at 1 h of recovery (p < 0.001); however, free radicals were not detected. Results indicate the existence of early postexercise mild oxidative stress after single-exercise performance, which induced structural changes in erythrocyte membrane components (protein aggregation) and in the membrane organization (lipids rigidization) that followed lipid peroxidation but did not lead to cellular hemolysis.

Past, present and future of atomic force microscopy in life sciences and medicine

To introduce this special issue of the Journal of Molecular Recognition dedicated to the applications of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in life sciences, this paper presents a short summary of the history of AFM in biology. Based on contributions from the first international conference of AFM in biological sciences and medicine (AFM BioMed Barcelona, 19-21 April 2007), we present and discuss recent progress made using AFM for studying cells and cellular interactions, probing single molecules, imaging biosurfaces at high resolution and investigating model membranes and their interactions. Future prospects in these different fields are also highlighted.

Alterations of erythrocyte structure and cellular susceptibility in patients with chronic renal failure: effect of haemodialysis and oxidative stress

The aim of this study was to investigate erythrocytes rheological behaviour, membrane dynamics and erythrocytes susceptibility to disintegration upon strong oxidative stress induced by dialysis or by external H(2)O(2) among patients with CRF. EPR spectrometry was used to investigate alterations in physical state of cellular components. Generated ROS production induced: (1) significant increase of membrane fluidity in CRF erythrocytes treated with H(2)O(2) (p<0.005) and at 60 min of haemodialysis (p<0.05), (2) significant decrease of cytoskeletal protein-protein interactions (p<0.005) and (3) cellular osmotic fragility (p<0.0005). H(2)O(2) exacerbated these changes. Erythrocytes from CRF patients have changed rheological behaviour and present higher susceptibility to disintegration. Erythrocytes membrane characteristics indicate that CRF patients possess younger and more flexible cells, which are more susceptible to oxidative stress. This may contribute to the shortened survival of young erythrocytes in CRF patients.

Nitric oxide induced oxidative changes in erythrocyte membrane components

The effects of NO in its environment may vary considerably depending on various factors. This study shows oxidative mechanism of cellular membrane alterations, which is not associated with triggering of ONOOH generation but is induced by pure NO. Our investigation examined the influence of low concentration of NO (0.1; 0.2 mmol/l) on the qualitative changes of structure and dynamics of erythrocyte membrane. NO causes a statistically significant increase in membrane fluidity on different depths of lipid bilayer that is correlated with increase of lipids peroxidation. Statistically significant changes in the conformational state of cytoskeleton proteins were also detected. NO can be considered as a molecule responsible for determining rheological properties of erythrocytes membrane. Therefore, we propose that NO acts as pro-oxidant molecule at concentrations for which membrane appeared to be the first target before it entered the cytosol.

Temperature-dependent localization of GPI-anchored intestinal alkaline phosphatase in model rafts

In plasma membranes, most of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins would be associated with rafts, a category of ordered microdomains enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol (Ch). They would be also concentrated in the detergent resistant membranes (DRMs), a plasma membrane fraction extracted at low temperature. Preferential localization of GPI-anchored proteins in these membrane domains is essentially governed by their high lipid order, as compared to their environment. Changes in the temperature are expected to modify the membrane lipid order, suggesting that they could affect the distribution of GPI-anchored proteins between membrane domains. Validity of this hypothesis was examined by investigating the temperature-dependent localization of the GPI-anchored bovine intestinal alkaline phophatase (BIAP) into model raft made of palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin/cholesterol (POPC/SM/Chl) supported membranes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that the inserted BIAP is localized in the SM/Chl enriched ordered domains at low temperature. Above 30 degrees C, BIAP redistributes and is present in both the 'fluid' POPC enriched and the ordered SM/Chl domains. These data strongly suggest that in cells the composition of plasma membrane domains at low temperature differs from that at physiological temperature.

Temperature dependence of the surface topography in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine/distearoylphosphatidylcholine multibilayers

Simple lipid binary systems are intensively used to understand the formation of domains in biological membranes. The size of individual domains present in the gel/fluid coexistence region of single supported bilayers, determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), generally exceeds by two to three orders of magnitude that estimated from multibilayers membranes by indirect spectroscopic methods. In this article, the topography of equimolar dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine/distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC/DSPC) multibilayers, made of two superimposed bilayers supported on mica surface, was studied by AFM in a temperature range from room temperature to 45 degrees C. In the gel/fluid phase coexistence region the size of domains, between approximately 100 nm and a few micrometers, was of the same order for the first bilayer facing the mica and the top bilayer facing the buffer. The gel to fluid phase separation temperature of the first bilayer, however, could be increased by up to 8 degrees C, most likely as a function of the buffer layer thickness that separated it from the mica. Topography of the top bilayer revealed the presence of lipids in ripple phase up to 38-40 degrees C. Above this temperature, a pattern characteristic of the coexistence of fluid and gel domains was observed. These data show that difference in the size of lipid domains given by AFM and spectroscopy can hardly be attributed to the use of multibilayers models in spectroscopy experiments. They also provide a direct evidence for metastable ripple phase transformation into a gel/fluid phase separated structure upon heating.

The influence of split doses of gamma-radiation on human erythrocytes

Human erythrocyte suspensions in an isotonic Na-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, of hematocrit of 2% were exposed under air to gamma radiation at a dose rate of 2.2 kGy. Erythrocytes were irradiated with single doses, and identical doses split into two fractions with an interval time of 3.5 h between following exposures. The obtained results indicated that the irradiation of enucleated human erythrocytes with split doses caused a reduction of hemolysis (2.4 times), a decrease in the level of damage to membrane lipids and the contents of MetHb, compared with identical single doses. However, the splitting of radiation doses did not change the level of damage to the membrane proteins, as was estimated with a maleimide spin label. The obtained results suggest that a decrease in the level of damage to lipids was related to a decrease in hemolysis.

Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol are segregated into different domains in bacterial membrane. A study with pyrene-labelled phospholipids

To detect and characterize membrane domains that have been proposed to exist in bacteria, two kinds of pyrene-labelled phospholipids, 2-pyrene-decanoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (PY-PE) and 2-pyrene-decanoyl-phosphatidylglycerol (PY-PG) were inserted into Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis membrane. The excimerization rate coefficient, calculated from the excimer-to-monomer ratio dependencies on the probe concentration, was two times higher for PY-PE than for PY-PG at 37 degrees C. This was ascribed to different local concentrations rather than to differences in mobility. The extent of mixing between the two fluorescent phospholipids, estimated by formation of their heteroexcimer, was found very low both in E. coli and B. subtilis, in contrast to model membranes. In addition, these two pyrene derivatives exhibited different temperature phase transitions and different detergent extractability, indicating that the surroundings of these phospholipids in bacterial membrane differ in organization and order. Inhibition of protein synthesis, leading to condensation of nucleoid and presumably to dissipation of membrane domains, indeed resulted in increased formation of heteroexcimers, broadening of phase transitions and equal detergent extractability of both probes. It is proposed that in bacterial membranes these phospholipids are segregated into distinct domains that differ in composition, proteo-lipid interaction and degree of order; the proteo-lipid domain being enriched by PE.

Alterations in human red blood cell membrane properties induced by the lipopolysaccharide from Proteus mirabilis S1959

The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin), isolated from Proteus mirabilis S1959 strain, on red blood cell (RBC) membranes in whole cells as well as on isolated membranes was studied. Lipid membrane fluidity, conformational state of membrane proteins and the osmotic fragility of RBCs were examined using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and spectrophotometric method. Lipid membrane fluidity was determined using three spin-labeled fatty acids: 5-, 12- and 16-doxylstearic acid (5-, 12- and 16-DS). The addition of LPS S1959 to RBC suspension resulted in an increase in membrane fluidity, as indicated by 12-DS. At the concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mg/ml, LPS treatment led to a significant (P<0.05) increase in lipid membrane fluidity in the deeper region of lipid bilayer (determined by 12-DS). The conformational changes in membrane proteins were determined using two covalently bound spin labels, 4-maleimido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl and 4-iodoacetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (ISL). The highest concentration of endotoxin significantly (P<0.05) decreased the relative rotational correlation time of ISL and significantly (P<0.05) increased the osmotic fragility of RBCs. The effect of endotoxin was much more profound in isolated membranes than in intact cells treated with LPS. At the concentrations 0.5 and 1 mg/ml, LPS led to a significant increase in h(w)/h(s) ratio. These results indicated increased membrane protein mobility, mainly in the spectrin-actin complex in membrane cytoskeleton. These data suggest that LPS-induced alterations in membrane lipids and cytoskeleton proteins of RBCs lead to loss of membrane integrity.

Lipopolysaccharide from Proteus mirabilis O29 induces changes in red blood cell membrane lipids and proteins

Alterations in red blood cell (RBC) plasma membranes, i.e. in lipids and proteins, and osmotic fragility of these cells after treatment with Proteus mirabilis O29 endotoxin (lipolysaccharide (LPS)) were examined using a spin labelling method. At the highest concentration of LPS, insignificantly decreased fluidity of membrane lipids was observed. Changes in conformation of membrane proteins were determined by two covalently bound spin labels, 4-maleimido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (MSL) and 4-iodoacetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (ISL). The analysis of spectra of MSL and ISL showed modifications in membrane proteins in red blood cells treated with the highest concentration of lipopolysaccharide. On the other hand, in the case of isolated membranes, disturbances in membrane were observed for all concentrations of LPS. The alterations in membrane lipids and proteins are paralleled in a significant rise in osmotic fragility of RBCs upon endotoxin treatment. These results provide experimental evidence that P. mirabilis O29 LPS causes deleterious changes in membranes of human red blood cells. They show that action of lipopolysaccharide mainly concerns the membrane cytoskeleton.

Coexistence of domains with distinct order and polarity in fluid bacterial membranes

In this study we sought the detection and characterization of bacterial membrane domains. Fluorescence generalized polarization (GP) spectra of laurdan-labeled Escherichia coli and temperature dependencies of both laurdan's GP and fluorescence anisotropy of 1,3-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) (rDPH) affirmed that at physiological temperatures, the E. coli membrane is in a liquid-crystalline phase. However, the strong excitation wavelength dependence of rlaurdan at 37 degrees C reflects membrane heterogeneity. Time-resolved fluorescence emission spectra, which display distinct biphasic redshift kinetics, verified the coexistence of two subpopulations of laurdan. In the initial phase, <50 ps, the redshift in the spectral mass center is much faster for laurdan excited at the blue edge (350 nm), whereas at longer time intervals, similar kinetics is observed upon excitation at either blue or red edge (400 nm). Excitation in the blue region selects laurdan molecules presumably located in a lipid domain in which fast intramolecular relaxation and low anisotropy characterize laurdan's emission. In the proteo-lipid domain, laurdan motion and conformation are restricted as exhibited by a slower relaxation rate, higher anisotropy and a lower GP value. Triple-Gaussian decomposition of laurdan emission spectra showed a sharp phase transition in the temperature dependence of individual components when excited in the blue but not in the red region. At least two kinds of domains of distinct polarity and order are suggested to coexist in the liquid-crystalline bacterial membrane: a lipid-enriched and a proteolipid domain. In bacteria with chloramphenicol (Cam)-inhibited protein synthesis, laurdan showed reduced polarity and restoration of an isoemissive point in the temperature-dependent spectra. These results suggest a decrease in membrane heterogeneity caused by Cam-induced domain dissipation.

In situ imaging of detergent-resistant membranes by atomic force microscopy

Purified detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) are powerful tools for the biochemical study of plasma membrane domains. To what extent these isolated DRMs correspond to native membrane domains remains, however, a matter of debate. The most immediate question to be answered concerns the in situ size range of DRMs, a determination that escapes classical microscopy techniques. In this study we show that in situ three-dimensional images of a material as fragile as Triton X-100-treated cells can be obtained, in buffer, by tapping mode atomic force microscopy. These images establish that, prior to the isolation procedure, the detergent plasma membrane fragments form domains whose size frequently exceeds 15-20 microm(2). This DRMs size range is about 1 order of magnitude higher than that estimated for the larger microdomains of living cells, which strongly suggests that membrane microdomains rearrange into larger DRMs during Triton X-100 treatment. Concomitantly, the images also reveal the presence of the cytoskeleton, which is resistant to detergent extraction, and suggest that, in situ, DRMs are associated with the membrane cytoskeleton.

Antibiotic diffusion pathways in the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

We investigated the effect of a temperature shift from 37 degrees C to 17 degrees C on the steady-state diffusion rate of imipenem and cephalothin by evaluating periplasmic drug concentrations in intact cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which overexpresses the extended spectrum beta-lactamase. We found that the ratio of periplasmic imipenem concentration at 17 degrees C relative to that of 37 degrees C was 1.03+/-0.1, whereas that of cephalothin was 0.43+/- 0.09. Accumulation rates of cell-associated tetracycline and fluoroquinolone at 17 degrees C were roughly 1/16 and 1/8, respectively, compared with that at 37 degrees C. We concluded from these data that cephalothin and possibly most other antibiotics excepting carbapenems cross the outer membrane of P. aeruginosa mainly by dissolving in the lipid phase but probably not passing through the porin channel. This may explain why the outer membrane of P. aeruginosa is a tight barrier against the penetration of antibiotics.

Melittin-induced alterations in dynamic properties of human red blood cell membranes

The interaction of bee venom melittin with erythrocyte membrane ghosts has been investigated by means of fluorescence quenching of membrane tryptophan residues, fluorescence polarization and ESR spectroscopy. It has been revealed that melittin induces the disorders in lipid-protein matrix both in the hydrophobic core of bilayer and at the polar/non-polar interface of melittin complexed with erythrocyte membranes. The peptide has been found to act most efficiently at the concentration of the order of 10(-10) mol/mg membrane protein. The apparent distance separating the membrane tryptophan and bound 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulphonate (ANS) molecules is decreased upon melittin binding, which results in a significant increase of the maximum energy transfer efficiency. Significant changes in the fluorescence anisotropy of both 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulphonate bound to erythrocyte ghosts, which have been observed in the presence of melittin and crude venom, indicate membrane lipid bilayer rigidization. The effect of crude honey bee venom has been found to be of similar magnitude as the effect of pure melittin at the concentration of 10(-10) mol/mg membrane protein. Using two lipophilic spin labels, methyl 5-doxylpalmitate and 16-doxylstearic acid, we found that melittin at its increasing concentrations induces a well marked rigidization in the deeper regions of lipid bilayer, whereas the effect of rigidization near the membrane surface maximizes at the melittin concentration of 10(-10) mol/mg (10(-4) mol melittin per mole of membrane phospholipid). The decrease in the ratio hw/hs of maleimide and the rise in relative rotational correlation time (tau c) of iodacetamid spin label, indicate that melittin effectively immobilizes membrane proteins in the plane of the lipid bilayer. We conclude that melittin-induced rigidization of the lipid bilayer may induce a reorganization of lipid assemblies as well as the rearrangements in membrane protein pattern and consequently the alterations in lipid-protein interactions. Thus, the interaction of melittin with erythrocyte membranes is supposed to produce local conformational changes in membranes, which are discussed in the connection with their significance during the synergistic action of melittin and phospholipase of bee venom on red blood cells.

Liposomes as cyclosporin A carriers: ESR study of cyclosporin A interaction with 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-3-phosphatidylglycerol liposomes

In order to study the interaction of cyclosporin A (CsA) with phosphatidylglycerol liposomes, thermally induced changes of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-3-phosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) liposomes and DMPG liposomes containing CsA were studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy using 5-, 7-, 10-, 12- or 16-nitroxide stearic acid (NO-SA) as spin probes. All liposomes were purified by Sepharose 4B column chromatography and the molar ratio of [14C]DMPG/[3H]CsA in these liposomes was found to be 31.1 +/- 0.6. ESR spectroscopy established that the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition of DMPG liposomes occurred sharply at 22 degrees C, shifted significantly to 26-34 degrees C in the presence of CsA, detected with 5-, 7-, 10- and 12-NO-SA probes. Furthermore, transitions at 23 degrees C and 31 degrees C were detected with 16-NO-SA probe in the same liposomes containing CsA. It was concluded that CsA interacts with both the polar head group region and the entire hydrocarbon region of DMPG and must be embedded in the hydrophobic region of liposomes.

Radiation-induced structural alterations in fish red blood cells

The structural properties of gamma-irradiated fish red blood cells were studied using a spin labelling method. The gradient increase of lipid fluidity with the increasing gamma radiation doses was indicated by methyl 5-doxylpalmitate and methyl 12-doxylstearate spin labels spectra. In turns, the spectra of maleimide spin label (4-maleimido-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) and TEMPONE (4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) indicated a modification of the internal proteins and the increased internal viscosity of red blood cells. The results encourage the conclusion that the increase in membrane fluidity may result from the alternations in lipid-protein interactions rather than lipid peroxidation.

Membrane fluidity as affected by the insecticide lindane

Fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) was used to study the interaction of lindane with model and native membranes. Lindane disorders the gel phase of liposomes reconstituted with dimyristoyl-, dipalmitoyl- and distearoylphosphatidylcholines (DMPC, DPPC and DSPC), since it broadens and shifts the main phase transition, but no apparent effect is detected in the fluid phase. These effects of lindane are more pronounced in bilayers of short-chain lipids, e.g., DMPC. In equimolar mixtures containing DMPC and DSPC, lindane preferentially interacts with the more fluid lipid species inducing lateral phase separations. However, in mixtures of DMPC and DPPC, the insecticide only broadens and shifts the main phase transition, i.e., an effect similar to that observed in bilayers of pure lipids. Lindane has no apparent effect in DMPC bilayers enriched with high cholesterol content (greater than or equal to 30 mol%), whereas disordering effects can still be detected in bilayers with low cholesterol (less than 30 mol%). Apparently, lindane does not perturb the fluid phase of representative native membranes, namely, mitochondria, sarcoplasmic reticulum, myelin, brain microsomes and erythrocytes in agreement with the results obtained in fluid phospholipid bilayers, despite the reasonable incorporation of the insecticide in these membranes, as previously reported (Antunes-Madeira, M.C. and Madeira, V.M.C. (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 820, 165-172).

Studies on the effect of ethanol and/or toluene on rat erythrocytes

Rats were subjected to a chronic ethanol exposure in their drinking water for 8 months and then a short subacute toluene exposure to 12,000 mg/m3 for 5 h/day for nine days. Combined exposure increased the reticulocyte count and the concentration of haemoglobin, and changed the biochemical/biophysical properties of red blood cells. Macrocytosis and a decrease in erythrocyte membrane lipid fluidity in the middle zone of the lipid bilayer were the most useful indices of exposure.

Temperature, pressure and cholesterol effects on bilayer fluidity; a comparison of pyrene excimer/monomer ratios with the steady-state fluorescence polarization of diphenylhexatriene in liposomes and microsomes

Pyrene excimer/monomer (E/M) ratios have been compared with the steady-state fluorescence polarization (P) of diphenylhexatriene (DPH) in multilamellar liposomes of dilaurylphosphatidylcholine and rat liver microsomes. The purpose was to use the well-understood properties of DPH to reveal the nature of bilayer fluidity which pyrene manifests as an E/M ratio. Reducing the temperature (from 37 degrees C to 8 degrees C), increasing the hydrostatic pressure (from 0.1 to 70 MPa), and, in liposomes, cholesterol enrichment (up to 0.30 mole fraction) separately decreased the E/M ratios and increased P. The pyrene membrane/buffer partition coefficient was affected by temperature but not by pressure, and in the case of cholesterol enrichment, it was assumed to be unaffected. Plots of P as a function of the E/M ratio showed the two to be closely correlated (r = 0.99 in liposomes and 0.96 in microsomes), independent of the treatment used to reduce fluidity. The apparent activation volume and enthalpy for excimer formation was calculated and compared with published data. Pyrene E/M ratios probably reflect the intermolecular volume (fluidity) of the outer region of the bilayer, which is reduced by a decrease in temperature and an increase in pressure and cholesterol. DPH reports the bilayer interior, which is similarly ordered by the experimental treatments. The regional distinction between the two probes, however, accounts for the divergence of E/M ratios and P, which has been reported in membranes enriched with fluidizing fatty acids.

Synthesis, receptor binding activity and fluorescence property of fluorescent enkephalin analogs containing L-1-pyrenylalanine

The novel fluorescent amino acid, L-1-pyrenylalanine (L-Pya), was prepared by the asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic dehydrodipeptide. Fluorescent enkephalins containing one or two Pya residues at position 1,4 or 5 of [D-Ala2, Leu5]enkephalin were synthesized by the solution method. Mono-Pya-enkephalins showed strong fluorescence intensities and potent binding affinities with specificity and selectivity for opiate receptors. However, di-Pya-enkephalins showed markedly decreased receptor binding affinities. These results indicate that the incorporation of two Pya residues into enkephalin makes the peptide unable to interact with the opiate receptors, although introduction of one Pya residue is effective to elicit a specific receptor interaction. Di-Pya-enkephalins showed intramolecular excimer spectra, indicating that the peptides are able to take possible folded conformations.

Effect of temperature on kinetics of hexose uptake by human placental plasma membrane vesicles

Initial rates of passive and carrier-mediated D-galactose and D-glucose uptake were measured in membrane vesicles derived from the maternal surface of the human placental syncytiotrophoblast. Passive diffusion, as measured by L-glucose uptake, was slightly and continuously temperature-sensitive over a range 0-40 degrees C (Q10 = 1.1). Below approx. 26 degrees C, passive diffusion measured by D-galactose uptake in the presence of the inhibitor, cytochalasin B, was quantitatively similar to L-glucose uptake. Above this temperature, however, cytochalasin B appeared not to be as effective an inhibitor of carrier-mediated uptake. The initial rates of D-galactose carrier-mediated transport, generated at low concentration (10 microM) were very temperature-sensitive and yielded a non-linear Arrhenius plot. An Arrhenius plot of Vmax, generated with higher concentrations, was linear. The linearity of the Vmax Arrhenius plot, in conjunction with the high cholesterol content of this membrane preparation, suggests that a membrane lipid phase transition is not responsible for the non-linearity of the low concentration Arrhenius plot. A discontinuous temperature sensitivity of the interaction between D-galactose and the hexose transport system, as reflected by a marked sensitivity in Km, appears responsible for the non-linearity in this Arrhenius plot.

The effect of growth temperature on the membrane lipid environment of the psychrophilic bacterium Micrococcus cryophilus

The relationship between the delta 9-desaturase activity of the psychrophilic bacterium Micrococcus cryophilus grown at different temperatures and the physical state of its membrane lipids as measured by ESR spectroscopy has been studied. Arrhenius plots of desaturase activity were biphasic with a discontinuity at a temperature which depended upon the bacterial growth temperature. Changes in the desaturase activation energy, which increased as the growth temperature was lowered, are discussed in the context of membrane lipid fluidity adaptation to changing environmental temperature. The fluidity of membranes and isolated lipids was measured using nitroxide-labeled fatty acids. The spectra of 2-(10-carboxydecyl)-2-hexyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-oxazolidinoxyl in membranes indicated that there were two lipid environments within the membrane whose relative proportions were dependent both on temperature of measurement and on bacterial growth temperature. In contrast, 2-(3-carboxypropyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-tridecyl-3-oxazolidinoxyl spectra showed a single lipid environment and plots of log order parameter (S3) vs 1/T were biphasic with inflexion temperatures which were closely related to the bacterial growth temperature. As with membranes, plots of log S3 vs 1/T for total lipids, phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin, but not phosphatidylethanolamine, were biphasic and showed inflexions which correlated well with bacterial growth temperature. These results are interpreted as being consistent with a location for the desaturase within the bulk lipid of the membrane rather than in association with specific lipid types.

Effect of hyperthermia and ionizing radiation on the erythrocyte membrane

Spin-label studies of the effects of hyperthermia on the erythrocyte membrane revealed a decrease in the fluidity of lipids and changes in the state of membrane proteins. The rate of haemolysis in iso-osmotic glycerol solution was increased. Changes of most of the parameters studied when plotted in Arrhenius coordinates revealed a discontinuity (critical hyperthermic transition in the membrane) between 46 and 50 degrees C. Studies of the combined action of ionizing radiation (100 Gy) and hyperthermia (43 degrees C) showed the same direction of changes for (Na-K-Mg)-ATPase activity and spectra of membrane-bound maleimide spin label for both agents, but the additivity of changes depended on the parameter studied.

Effect of .OH scavengers on radiation damage to the erythrocyte membrane

Thiourea, and .OH scavenger, reduced the gamma-radiation-induced changes in the rigidity of erythrocyte membrane lipids, the state of membrane proteins, and lipid peroxidation. Several .OH scavengers, but not superoxide dismutase, also inhibited the radiation-induced acceleration of the transport of a hydrophilic non-electrolyte spin label TEMPOL across the erythrocyte membrane. The effects of scavengers were usually biphasic with a maximum of the protective effect. Higher concentrations of the scavengers were less effective, as in the case of radioprotection of erythrocytes to haemolysis studied previously.

Studies on age related changes in cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b-5 and mixed function oxidase activity in mouse liver microsomes, in relation to their phospholipid composition

Liver microsomes were isolated from male mice of various defined ages, and their ability to metabolise ethylmorphine, p-nitroanisole, p-aminobenzoic acid and aniline was assessed as was their content of cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b-5 and protein, and their lipid composition. The rising capacity of the microsomes to metabolise these substrates in the first half of the lifespan was associated with a rise in the cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b-5 content as well as an increase in the ratio of phosphatidylcholine to both phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin and, in early adult life, decreasing saturation of phospholipid fatty acids. The lipid changes would be expected to increase microsomal membrane fluidity. Declining mixed function oxidase activity in later life paralleled a decline in the ratio of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin, and progressively reduced saturation of phospholipid fatty acids. Cytochrome content showed only a slight irregular decline with advancing age until the oldest animals were investigated, in which cytochrome b-5 was considerably reduced. Unfortunately, cytochrome P-450 was not measured in the oldest available group. Inducing the mixed function oxidase system with daily phenobarbitone injections for 4 days substantially increased enzyme activity in animals up to the middle of the age range tested. Older animals showed progressively reduced induction and none at all was seen in the oldest group. In contrast with the situation in non-induced mice, these changes were more closely associated with changes in cytochrome P-450 content than with alterations of lipid composition.

Long-chain fatty acid perturbations in Mycoplasma pneumoniae

The fatty acid content of Mycoplasma pneumoniae increased 2.5- to 9.6-fold when the growth medium was supplemented with a saturated, unsaturated, or beta-hydroxy fatty acid, the greatest increase occurring with palmitic acid. The amount of each supplemented fatty acid found within this organism was 2.8 to 5.5% of the total fatty acid content; the exception was palmitic acid. Up to 57% of the palmitic acid was utilized from the supplemented medium, whereas only 0.2 to 10% of the other fatty acids was utilized. Chromatographic and isotopic analyses revealed that 22% of the labeled palmitic acid incorporated from the palmitic acid-supplemented medium remained free in this organism. Also, even though complex lipid synthesis increased a minimum of 3.8-fold under these conditions, this mycoplasma continued to incorporate intact complex lipids from the growth medium. Bacteriostatic and bactericidal studies which used high concentrations of various long-chain fatty acids showed that only palmitic, myristic, and beta-hydroxydecanoic acids were not bactericidal. The addition of palmitic acid to the growth medium resulted in the formation of exceedingly long, filamentous cells in approximately 25% of the population. Osmotic fragility and electron spin resonance spectroscopy studies showed a correlation among this increased fatty acid content, decreased membrane fluidity, and the increased osmotic fragility of palmitic acid-grown cells. In addition, these cells had a lowered cholesterol content. The effect of such compositional changes on osmotic fragility is discussed in this paper. Finally, the profound increase in the total fatty acid content of palmitic acid-grown cells altered neither sensitivity to tetracycline or erythromycin nor the amount of hydrogen peroxide secreted.