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PubMed2007

A broad antiviral neutral glycolipid, fattiviracin FV-8, is a membrane fluidity modulator.

To screen for an effective antiviral compound which acts as a membrane fluidity modulator, dichotomous effects on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection due to different treatments of several glycolipids and lipids were examined. Continuous treatment of infected cells with 40 microg ml(-1) fattiviracin FV-8, a neutral glycolipid isolated from Streptomycetes, inhibited HIV-1 infection by 96%, whereas pretreatment with 400 microg ml(-1) enhanced infectivity 4.7-fold. The glycolipid showed similar effects as glycyrrhizin; it inhibited infection by broad enveloped viruses, blocked cell-cell fusion, reduced the infectivity of treated virions and enhanced susceptibility to viral infection and cell-cell fusion of cells pretreated with high doses of the compound. Suppression and enhancement was correlated with decreased and increased fluidity of plasma membrane of the fattiviracin FV-8-treated cells. Restricted movement of membrane molecules might impede the formation of a wide fusion pore, and therefore be critical to the entry of viruses. Thus, this can be applied as a new strategy to inhibit viral infections.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Membrane fluidity and bile salt damage.

The lysis, by bile salts, of membranes of different fluidities was studied; it was shown that membranes of low fluidity were less readily lysed than membranes of higher fluidity. Membrane fluidity levels were controlled (i) by the use of erythrocytes, from different species, systematically differing in their lipid composition; (ii) by using each membrane at a range of temperatures; and (iii) by incorporating into the membranes the fluidizing agent, benzyl alcohol, at a range of concentrations. Membrane fluidity (and order) in each case was monitored by measuring the degree of polarization of fluorescence from the hydrophobic probe molecule, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. The response of lytic behaviour to modulations of membrane fluidity also indicated a difference between the bile salts, glycodeoxycholate and glycocholate; the former initiates lysis close to (at or below) its critical micellar concentrations whereas the latter only causes lysis above, and often substantially above, its critical micellar concentration. In their respective ranges of lytic concentrations, both bile salts are far less effective with membranes of low fluidity. The results are discussed with regard to the features of a membrane which would be expected to be resistant to high concentrations of bile salts in vivo, i.e., the plasma membranes of the bile canaliculus and lumenal surface of biliary tract cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Erythrocyte membrane fluidity in adult polycystic kidney disease: difference between intact cells and ghost membranes.

In adult polycystic kidney disease (APCKD) the cytoskeleton of renal tubular cells is abnormal. In erythrocytes the cytoskeleton affects the fluidity of membrane lipids. The authors determined fluorescence anisotropy in intact erythrocytes and erythrocyte ghosts in 12 APCKD patients and 12 normal subjects. In APCKD whole erythrocytes had a much lower core-region anisotropy, which indicated higher membrane fluidity than normal (mean 0 center dot 175 vs. 0 center dot 224, P < 0 center dot 01). This abnormality was not detected in erythrocyte ghosts, which suggests that preparation of ghosts altered membrane lipid organization. This could be directly due to ghosting or secondary to the loss of cytoskeletal effects, which may be abnormal in APCKD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Protective effects of melatonin against oxidation of guanine bases in DNA and decreased microsomal membrane fluidity in rat liver induced by whole body ionizing radiation.

The aim of the study was to examine the potential protective effect of melatonin against whole body ionizing radiation (800 cGy). Changes in 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) levels, an index of DNA damage, and alterations in membrane fluidity (the inverse of membrane rigidity) and lipid peroxidation in microsomal membranes, as indices of damage to lipid and protein molecules in membranes, were estimated. Measurements were made in rat liver, 12 h after their exposure to radiation. To test the potential protective effects of melatonin, the indole was injected (i.p. 50 mg/kg b.w.) at 120, 90, 60 and 30 min prior to radiation exposure. Both 8-OH-dG levels and microsomal membrane rigidity increased significantly 12 h after radiation exposure. Melatonin completely counteracted the effects of ionizing radiation. Changes in 8-OH-dG levels and membrane fluidity are early sensitive parameters of DNA and microsomal membrane damage, respectively, induced by ionizing radiation and our findings document the protective effects of melatonin against ionizing radiation.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed2006

Variations in daily intakes of myristic and alpha-linolenic acids in sn-2 position modify lipid profile and red blood cell membrane fluidity.

The present study evaluated the effects of moderate intakes of myristic acid (MA), at 1.2% and 1.8% of total energy (TE), associated with a 0.9% TE intake of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) on lipid and fatty acid profiles and red blood cell membrane fluidity. Twenty-nine monks without dyslipidaemia were enrolled in a 1-year nutritional study in which two experimental diets were tested for 3 months each: diet 1, MA 1.2 % and ALA 0.9%; diet 2, MA 1.8% and ALA 0.9%. A control diet (MA 1.2%, ALA 0.4%) was given 3 months before diets 1 and 2. Thus, two different levels of MA (1.2%, 1.8%) and ALA (0.4%, 0.9%) were tested. Intakes of other fatty acids were at recommended levels. Samples were obtained on completion of all three diets. For fluidity analysis, the red blood cells were labelled with 16-doxylstearate and the probe incorporated the membrane where relaxation-correlation time was calculated. Diet 1 was associated with a decrease in total cholesterol, in LDL-cholesterol, in triacylglycerols and in the ratio of total to HDL-cholesterol; ALA and EPA levels were increased in both phospholipids and cholesterol esters. Diet 2 was associated with a decrease in triacylglycerols and in the ratios of total to HDL-cholesterol and of triacylglycerols to HDL-cholesterol, and with an increase in HDL-cholesterol; EPA levels were decreased in phospholipids and cholesterol esters. Red blood cell membrane fluidity was increased in both diets (P<0.0001), but the higher increase was obtained with diet 1, mainly in the oldest subjects. Intakes of myristic acid (1.2%TE) and ALA (0.9%TE), both mainly in the sn-2 position, were associated with favourable lipid and n-3 long-chain fatty acid profiles. These beneficial effects coexisted with particularly high membrane fluidity, especially among the oldest subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effect of free fatty acids on erythrocyte morphology and membrane fluidity.

Changes in red blood cell shape and membrane properties in response to the interaction with free fatty acids and their derivatives were studied by light scattering at small and large angles, light microscopy and fluorescence anisotropy. The influence of these agents depended on the end groups and increased with increasing chain length. The fatty acids exerted a biphasic effect on the cell size, shape and surface properties, and induced erythrocyte aggregation. After transient size alteration with a reduction in diameter, caused by low free fatty acid concentrations (up to 5-10 microM in the case of palmitic acid), fatty acids increased the erythrocyte diameter at higher concentrations (20-60 microM in the case of palmitic acid). The aliphatic aldehydes and methyl esters of fatty acids significantly decreased the cell diameter at the concentrations used. Changes in erythrocyte shape and size were accompanied by changes in membrane microviscosity. Palmitic acid decreased the rotational diffusion of the fluorescence probe incorporated into the membrane whereas methyl ester of palmitic acid and lauric aldehyde increased probe mobility. Also the erythrocyte modification by malondialdehyde influenced cell morphology and highly decreased membrane fluidity.

Aldehydes↗
PubMed1994

Red blood cell membrane dynamics in schizophrenia. I. Membrane fluidity.

Using the fluorescent probe DPH (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene), steady-state anisotropy (rs) values were determined in red blood cell (RBC) ghost membranes of schizophrenic patients before (n = 26) and after (n = 16) haloperidol withdrawal, and age- and sex-matched normal controls (n = 22). Patients on haloperidol were treated with doses between 5 and 20 mg/day for at least 5 weeks. Drug-free patients had been free of all psychotropic medication for an average of 36 days. The mean rs value of haloperidol-treated patients (0.2422 +/- 0.0076) was not significantly different from that of either the drug-free patients (0.2445 +/- 0.0092) or the normal controls (0.2383 +/- 0.0083). A significant increase (p = 0.037) in rs values, however, was observed in the drug-free schizophrenic patients as compared to that of the controls. Furthermore, the mean rs values of relapsed drug-free patients were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in the same individuals on haloperidol treatment. Changes in rs values of drug-free patients were also significantly correlated with their increase in psychosis ratings (r = 0.74, p = 0.001). The 'structural order' of RBC ghost membrane, however, was not correlated with age, age of onset, daily haloperidol dose, plasma haloperidol levels, plasma cholesterol concentrations, or the duration of illness, haloperidol treatment or drug-free period. Thus, the present data demonstrate that RBC membrane fluidity is not affected by haloperidol treatment. Following haloperidol withdrawal, however, those patients with decreased RBC membrane fluidity, which correlated with increased psychosis, may be prone to relapse within 6 weeks.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effects of dietary fish oil supplementation on membrane fluidity and enzyme activity in rat small intestine.

Rats were fed either a fat-free diet supplemented with 10% menhaden oil or a control diet for four months. Intestinal brush border membranes were isolated; phospholipid fatty acid analysis revealed that the membranes from the fish-oil fed animals had higher levels of palmitoleic (C16:1) and eicosapentaenoic (C20:5) acids and lesser levels of stearic (C18:0) linoleic (C18:2) acids compared with controls. The membranes from the fish-oil fed animals had increased levels of alkaline phosphatase activity compared with controls but disaccharidase levels were equivalent in the two groups. Rocket immunoelectrophoresis studies revealed that the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was due to an increase in the specific activity of the enzyme rather than an increase in the amount of enzyme. Membrane fluidity was assessed by fluorescence anisotropy using diphenylhexatriene and 12-anthroyl stearate as fluorescent probes. The anisotropy of both probes was similar in the two membranes. These studies indicate that fish-oil supplementation alters the fatty acid composition of the intestinal brush border membrane and increases alkaline phosphatase activity without affecting membrane fluidity. Thus the effects of changes in membrane lipid composition on alkaline phosphatase activity appear to result from changes in the local lipid environment of the enzyme rather than from changes in the biophysical characteristics of the membrane.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2000

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis increases erythrocyte membrane fluidity and unsaturated fatty acid content.

Changes in the lipid composition of the membrane affect its fluidity and function. These variables are altered in various forms of hypertension. Our hypothesis was that the rapid increase in blood pressure (BP) caused by inhibition of nitric oxide production would lead to alterations in membrane fluidity similar to those observed in genetic hypertension. We used Nomega-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and vehicle-treated (3 weeks) Wistar-Kyoto rats to study the effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on membrane fluidity and lipid composition. Erythrocyte membrane fluidity was measured by fluorescence anisotropy. Membrane lipids were separated using Sep-Pak and thin-layer chromatography. Fatty acid methyl esters were produced and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nomega-nitro L-arginine methyl ester treatment increased BP and erythrocyte membrane fluidity. The phospholipid and unsaturated fatty acid levels in the membranes from the L-NAME-treated rats were consistent with the increase in fluidity (ie, more unsaturated fatty acid, in particular, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid) and a reduction in membrane sphingomyelin content. Fatty acid analysis of individual lipid groups suggested the changes in membrane fatty acid composition may be asymmetric, with the majority of the changes occurring in the outer leaflet. Inhibition of NOS results in changes in membrane composition that may explain the concurrent changes in fluidity. The increased membrane fluidity observed here contrasts with the reduced fluidity observed in genetic hypertension or unchanged fluidity in secondary hypertension. The effects could be related to NOS inhibition or may be a direct effect of L-NAME.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Dimethylnitrosamine inhibits the glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of rat liver plasma membranes and decreases plasma membrane fluidity.

The effect of the hepatocarcinogen dimethylnitrosamine on rat liver plasma membrane adenylate cyclase activity and lipid fluidity was assessed. Glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity exhibited a complex response to increasing concentrations of dimethylnitrosamine, whereas fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was progressively inhibited. Maximal inhibitory effects were observed at a concentration of 15 mM in both cases. The activity of detergent-solubilized adenylate cyclase was unaffected by dimethylnitrosamine. ESR analysis using a fatty acid spin probe showed that dimethylnitrosamine produced a marked, dose-dependent reduction in the fluidity of the plasma membrane with a maximal effect occurring at 20 mM. Dimethylnitrosamine also elevated the temperature at which the lipid phase separation occurred in rat liver plasma membranes, from 28 degrees C to 31 degrees C. The non-carcinogenic but structurally similar compound, dimethylamine hydrochloride neither inhibited adenylate cyclase nor decreased plasma membrane fluidity. It is suggested that the decrease in membrane fluidity, induced by dimethylnitrosamine, via its effects on membrane fluidity, could influence plasma membrane function and cellular regulation.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1991

Relationship of membrane fluidity, chemoprotection, and the intrinsic toxicity of butylated hydroxytoluene.

In isolated rat hepatocytes, many chemicals elicit toxicity which is inhibitable by antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Although BHT protection is evident at concentrations of less than about 50 nmol/mg protein, higher concentrations exhibit intrinsic concentration-dependent toxicity, which involves mitochondrial dysfunction. We evaluated the possibility that both chemoprotection and intrinsic toxicity could be explained by a common mechanism involving alterations in the physical properties of cellular membranes. In the red blood cell (RBC) osmotic fragility assay, BHT at less than 60 nmol/mg protein protected against osmotic fragility; however, BHT at higher concentrations enhanced osmotic fragility such that total osmolysis occurred at 135 nmol/mg. The BHT-mediated alterations in osmotic fragility correlated with changes in membrane fluidity, determined by fluorescence polarization of the hydrophobic probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. Protection from osmolysis correlated with decreased fluidity, while enhanced RBC fragility correlated with increased fluidity. In rat hepatocyte suspensions, high BHT concentrations also permeabilized the plasma and mitochondrial membranes to enzyme leakage, and these effects were accompanied by enhanced membrane fluidity. Although other mechanisms may be operative, alterations in membrane fluidity appear to be, in part, responsible for the observed chemoprotective effects at low concentrations, and intrinsic toxicity at higher concentrations of BHT.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The role of membrane fluidity changes and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances production in the inhibition of cerebral cortex Na+/K+-ATPase activity.

Lipid peroxidation of rat cerebral cortex membranes was induced by Fe2+/ADP and ascorbate. The rate of Na+/K(+)-ATPase inhibition was correlated with the increase of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and conjugated dienes (CD) and with membrane fluidity changes. Our data showed that membrane fluidity changes (evaluated by fluorescence steady-state anisotropy measurements) can participate in Na+/K(+)-ATPase inhibition during the initial period of lipid peroxidation process, whereas during the following period the enzyme inhibition correlates only with TBARS and CD production.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1975

Lectins from Wistaria floribunda seeds and their effect on membrane fluidity of human peripheral lymphocytes.

Two lectins were isolated from Wistaria floribunda seeds. One is a strong mitogen against human peripheal lymphocytes and has been purified in the previous paper (Toyo-Shima S., Y., Nakano K., Tonomura, A., and Osawa T. (1971) Biochemistry 10, 4457). The other, which is a strong hemagglutinin being devoid of mitogenic activity against normal lymphocytes, has been purified in this paper by affinity chromatography on a Sepharose 6B column followed by DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography. Both lectins were found to be glycoproteins and their molecular weights were estimated to be 136,000 for the equilibrium. The hemagglutinin is composed of four apparently identical subunits of a molecular weight of 35,000 and the mitogen is adimer of 32,000 molecular weight subunit. Binding experiments with 125-I-labeled W. floribunda mitogen revealed that the maximal incorporation of [6-3H]thymidine or 32-PO4 occurred when only 5.2% of the avaliable receptor sites on normal lymphocytes were occupied by the mitogen. Furthermore, the mobility of W. floribunda lectins as well as other lectins bound to the cell receptor sites of normal lymphocytes was determined by fluorescence polarization of fluorescein-labeled lectins. The mitogen lectins tested, have high mobility and Lens culinaris hemagglutinin, have high mobility whereas the nonmitogenic lectins, W. floribunda hemagglutinin, Sophora japonica hemagglutinin, and eel serum anti-H hemagglutin show relatively low mobility. However, W. floribunda hemagglutinin bound to neuraminidase-treated lymphocytes showed relatively high mobility in accord with the fact that this hemagglutinin exerted weak but definite mitogenic activity against neuraminidase-treated lymphocytes. The change of membrane fluidity upon binding of the lectins to normal lymphocytes was also measured by fluorescence polarization of fluorescent hydrocarbon, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, embedded in the membrane. The mitogenic lectins, W. floribunda mitogen and L. culinaris hemagglutinin, increased the membrane fluidity upon binding to lymphocyte cell surface within 30 min, whereas the non-mitogenic lectins, W. floribunda hemagglutinin and S. japonica hemagglutinin, did not effect the membrane fluidity. We suggest that the increase of membrane fluidity is one of the common biochemical events in the earliest stage of lymphocytes transformation.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1986

Membrane fluidity and alcohol dependence.

Rats were chronically intoxicated with alcohol by exposing them to increasing concentrations of ethanol vapor over a 4-week period. They were tested for alcohol consumption in a free choice situation of water and 10% (v/v) alcohol. On the basis of their intakes they were divided into alcohol-dependent and nondependent groups. Synaptosome membrane fluidity evaluated by fluorescence polarization was compared between the two groups and against nonintoxicated controls. The intoxicated animals had a lower membrane fluidity than controls, mainly because of a highly significant increase of rigidity in the alcohol-dependent group. Furthermore, membrane fluidity was found to be correlated with the degree of behavioral dependence (i.e., alcohol intake during the free choice period).

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1983

Lower levels of erythrocyte membrane fluidity in diabetic patients. A spin label study.

The dynamic properties of intact erythrocyte membrane in diabetic patients were investigated by means of electron spin resonance using three stearic acid spin labels (SAL): 5-, 12-, and 16-SAL. Significantly lower levels of erythrocyte membrane fluidity were revealed with 16-SAL as a probe in diabetic patients when compared with normal controls. However, there were no significant differences in fluidity values using 5- or 12-SAL between the two groups. Therefore, it became obvious that the decrease in fluidity was located in deeper sites (hydrophobic region) of the erythrocyte double membrane in diabetic patients. It was strongly suggested that changes in the membrane cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratios are not a principal factor contributing to the fluidity change. A significant increase of sphingomyelin and decrease of phosphatidylethanolamine were found in the erythrocyte membrane of diabetic patients and an alteration in membrane phospholipid classes and their acyl-chains could conceivably be related to the fluidity change. There were no significant correlations between change in membrane fluidity and most plasma lipids, plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyl-transferase activities, erythrocyte glycosylated hemoglobin, erythrocyte adenosine triphosphate, fasting blood glucose or duration of the disease. Plasma cholesterol of high-density lipoprotein showed a significant negative correlation with the membrane fluidity values. Some of the possible factors contributing to and the significance of the lower levels of erythrocyte membrane fluidity were discussed in conjunction with both metabolic and clinical aspects in diabetic patients.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1991

Membrane fluidity aspects in endocytosis; a study with the fluorescent probe trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene in L929 cells.

The fluorescent hydrophobic plasma membrane probe, trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene (TMA-DPH) was previously shown to follow the plasma membrane throughout its internalization and recycling process and thus to behave as a marker for endo- and exocytosis in living cell systems. In this paper, we made use of these properties to investigate membrane fluidity effects associated with endocytosis in L929 cells. For that purpose we performed TMA-DPH fluorescence anisotrophy measurements which showed that endocytosis starts from particularly rigid regions of the plasma membrane (probably coated pits). The fluorescence anisotropy then continuously decreases to a lower limit corresponding to the membrane fluidity of the probe in the lysosomial membrane. Strikingly, the value of this limit is identical to the average anisotropy value in the peripheral membrane, which suggests that lysosomes and plasma membrane may have a similar phospholipidic composition and a possible common origin.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Remodeling of Na,K-ATPase, and membrane fluidity after atrial fibrillation in sheep.

UNLABELLED: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is accompanied by various changes in ion channels that cause atrial electrophysiological remodeling. The enzyme Na,K-ATPase is also a major cellular mechanism for the regulation of ion homeostasis. During AF, Na,K-ATPase may be regulated by synthesis of its alpha- and beta-subunits as well as changes in membrane fluidity. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effect of pacing-induced AF in sheep on atrial Na,K-ATPase alpha- and beta-subunits and on membrane fluidity as well. METHODS: A group of six sheep (AF group) was subjected to overdrive electrical stimulation of the right atrium in order to induce AF. A group of six sham operated sheep served as control. All paced sheep developed multiple episodes of sustained AF with a mean total duration of 110 min over a 2-hours period. Protein expression of Na,K-ATPase alpha- and beta-subunits in atrial microsomal membranes was assayed by Western blotting analysis. When significant changes in membrane expression were observed, transcriptional regulation was analysed by Northern blotting. Membrane fluidity was assessed on atrial microsomal fractions by anisotropy measurements using the fluorescent probe diphenylhexatriene. RESULTS: Atrial fibrillation enhanced the expression of the Na,K-ATPase beta1-subunit at both membrane and mRNA levels. Anisotropy values were higher in AF group than in control group, indicating a decreased fluidity of the membranes isolated from paced sheep atria. CONCLUSION: These data are the first evidence for an enhanced Na,K-ATPase beta1-subunit expression in membrane during AF. Membrane rigification represents a new factor of tachycardia-induced atrial remodeling.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Effect of cholesterol and protein content on membrane fluidity and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in mitochondrial inner membranes of bovine adrenal cortex.

The steroid biosynthetic enzymes in the adrenal cortex are localised in endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial membranes. For some of the enzymes in endoplasmic reticulum the activity appears to be modulated by lipid fluidity, (21-hydroxysteroid hydroxylase and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase). A mechanism for the regulation of corticosteroid biosynthesis mediated by the membrane fluidity has been suggested. Therefore a study of the mitochondrial inner membrane of the bovine adrenal cortex has been undertaken in comparison with a previous study of the endoplasmic reticulum. The kinetic parameters of the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were studied as a function of pH and temperature. No thermal transition can be observed in the Arrhenius plot for this enzyme in contrast with the results obtained for the microsomal enzyme. Membrane fluidity using, as fluorescent probes, diphenylhexatriene and a set of n-(9-anthroyloxy)fatty acids has been also studied as a function of temperature with or without addition of cholesterol. No thermal transition in the lipid phase can be observed. The addition of cholesterol to total mitochondrial membrane as to a lipid extract of the membrane decreases fluidity to the same extent as it does with microsomes. The presence of a large amount of protein in mitochondria has an effect which is additive to that of the cholesterol.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗