The effect of some alkyl derivatives of cholesterol on the permeability properties and microviscosities of model membranes

Lala, A. K. ; Lin, H. K. ; Konrad, Bloch (1978) The effect of some alkyl derivatives of cholesterol on the permeability properties and microviscosities of model membranes Bioorganic Chemistry, 7 (4). pp. 437-445. ISSN 0045-2068

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Official URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/004520...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0045-2068(78)90034-2

Abstract

The properties of lecithin liposomes or vesicles containing a variety of sterols have been studied by measuring either the release of entrapped glucose or determining microviscosity by fluorescence depolarization of the probe diphenylhexatriene. Sterols containing alkyl substituents at C3, C4, or C14 were less effective in reducing glucose permeability or increasing microviscosity than cholesterol. 19-Norcholesterol was also less effective than cholesterol in raising membrane viscosity. These results support the hypothesis that the selective biological demethylation of lanosterol to a planar (α-face) structure optimizes the ability of the sterol molecule to condense the lipid phase of the membrane bilayer. Removal of an angular methyl group (C19), a rare event in biological systems, has the opposite effect.

Item Type:Article
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ID Code:32701
Deposited On:31 Mar 2011 06:25
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