Biomaterial Database

Membrane cholesterol and cell fusion of hen and guinea-pig erythrocytes. 1977

M J Hope, and K R Bruckdorfer, and C A Hart, and J A Lucy

1. The cholesterol content of hen erythrocytes was modified by treating the cells with phospholipid liposomes. 2. Depletion of cellular cholesterol, by using liposomes of dipalmitoylglycerophosphocholine or phosphatidylcholine from hen erythrocytes, had no effect on the susceptibility of the cells to fusion induced by oleoylglycerol, but markedly decreased fusion induced by Sendai virus. 3. By contrast, enrichment of cellular cholesterol by using liposomes of dipalmitoylglycerophosphocholine and cholesterol increased cell fusion induced by oleoylglycerol, poly(ethylene glycol) and Sendai virus. 4. Virus-induced cell fusion of guinea-pig erythrocytes, which were enriched in cholesterol by feeding a cholesterol-rich diet to the animals, was also enhanced. 5. Hen erythrocytes that were treated with liposomes prepared from egg phosphatidylcholine contained increased quantities of phospholipid phosphorus and fused readily on incubation with retinol, independently of their cholesterol content. 6. It is suggested that cholesterol may enhance cell fusion by acting to facilitate a phase separation of protein-free areas of lipid bilayer, which subsequently provide the sites for cell fusion.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008081	Liposomes	Artificial, single or multilaminar vesicles (made from lecithins or other lipids) that are used for the delivery of a variety of biological molecules or molecular complexes to cells, for example, drug delivery and gene transfer. They are also used to study membranes and membrane proteins.	Niosomes,Transferosomes,Ultradeformable Liposomes,Liposomes, Ultra-deformable,Liposome,Liposome, Ultra-deformable,Liposome, Ultradeformable,Liposomes, Ultra deformable,Liposomes, Ultradeformable,Niosome,Transferosome,Ultra-deformable Liposome,Ultra-deformable Liposomes,Ultradeformable Liposome
D008563	Membrane Lipids	Lipids, predominantly phospholipids, cholesterol and small amounts of glycolipids found in membranes including cellular and intracellular membranes. These lipids may be arranged in bilayers in the membranes with integral proteins between the layers and peripheral proteins attached to the outside. Membrane lipids are required for active transport, several enzymatic activities and membrane formation.	Cell Membrane Lipid,Cell Membrane Lipids,Membrane Lipid,Lipid, Cell Membrane,Lipid, Membrane,Lipids, Cell Membrane,Lipids, Membrane,Membrane Lipid, Cell,Membrane Lipids, Cell
D010222	Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human	A species of RESPIROVIRUS also called hemadsorption virus 2 (HA2), which causes laryngotracheitis in humans, especially children.	Hemadsorption Virus 2,Human parainfluenza virus 1,Para-Influenza Virus Type 1,Parainfluenza Virus Type 1,Para Influenza Virus Type 1
D010743	Phospholipids	Lipids containing one or more phosphate groups, particularly those derived from either glycerol (phosphoglycerides see GLYCEROPHOSPHOLIPIDS) or sphingosine (SPHINGOLIPIDS). They are polar lipids that are of great importance for the structure and function of cell membranes and are the most abundant of membrane lipids, although not stored in large amounts in the system.	Phosphatides,Phospholipid
D011092	Polyethylene Glycols	Polymers of ETHYLENE OXIDE and water, and their ethers. They vary in consistency from liquid to solid depending on the molecular weight indicated by a number following the name. They are used as SURFACTANTS, dispersing agents, solvents, ointment and suppository bases, vehicles, and tablet excipients. Some specific groups are NONOXYNOLS, OCTOXYNOLS, and POLOXAMERS.	Macrogols,Polyoxyethylenes,Carbowax,Macrogol,Polyethylene Glycol,Polyethylene Oxide,Polyethyleneoxide,Polyglycol,Glycol, Polyethylene,Glycols, Polyethylene,Oxide, Polyethylene,Oxides, Polyethylene,Polyethylene Oxides,Polyethyleneoxides,Polyglycols,Polyoxyethylene
D002459	Cell Fusion	Fusion of somatic cells in vitro or in vivo, which results in somatic cell hybridization.	Cell Fusions,Fusion, Cell,Fusions, Cell
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D002645	Chickens	Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA.	Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D002784	Cholesterol	The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.	Epicholesterol
D004912	Erythrocytes	Red blood cells. Mature erythrocytes are non-nucleated, biconcave disks containing HEMOGLOBIN whose function is to transport OXYGEN.	Blood Cells, Red,Blood Corpuscles, Red,Red Blood Cells,Red Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, Red,Blood Corpuscle, Red,Erythrocyte,Red Blood Cell,Red Blood Corpuscle