Biomaterial Database

Alteration of erythrocyte membrane fluidity by heavy metal cations. 1987

M A Amoruso, and G Witz, and B D Goldstein

Fluorescence polarization measurements were carried out on erythrocyte ghosts treated with heavy metal cations. Membranes labelled with the fluorescent lipid probe all-trans 1,6-diphenyl-1,3, 5-hexatriene (DPH) had increased DPH polarization (P) values, consistent with increased membrane lipid viscosity, when treated with 10(-3)-10(-2) M of the chloride salts of cadmium, zinc or lead for 1 hour at 37 degrees C, but not with calcium. Using cadmium as a prototype heavy metal, additional studies showed that exposure of ghosts to cadmium also increased the native protein fluorescence polarization. These increases in P values were observed at temperatures ranging from 15-40 degrees C. These data suggest that interaction of cadmium and other heavy metals with cellular membranes may alter membrane lipid and possibly membrane protein fluidity, which may contribute to abnormal cellular function.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007854	Lead	A soft, grayish metal with poisonous salts; atomic number 82, atomic weight 207.2, symbol Pb.
D008560	Membrane Fluidity	The motion of phospholipid molecules within the lipid bilayer, dependent on the classes of phospholipids present, their fatty acid composition and degree of unsaturation of the acyl chains, the cholesterol concentration, and temperature.	Bilayer Fluidity,Bilayer Fluidities,Fluidities, Bilayer,Fluidities, Membrane,Fluidity, Bilayer,Fluidity, Membrane,Membrane Fluidities
D002104	Cadmium	An element with atomic symbol Cd, atomic number 48, and atomic weight 112.41. It is a metal and ingestion will lead to CADMIUM POISONING.
D002122	Calcium Chloride	A salt used to replenish calcium levels, as an acid-producing diuretic, and as an antidote for magnesium poisoning.	Calcium Chloride Dihydrate,Calcium Chloride, Anhydrous
D002712	Chlorides	Inorganic compounds derived from hydrochloric acid that contain the Cl- ion.	Chloride,Chloride Ion Level,Ion Level, Chloride,Level, Chloride Ion
D004161	Diphenylhexatriene	A fluorescent compound that emits light only in specific configurations in certain lipid media. It is used as a tool in the study of membrane lipids.	1,6-Diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene,1,6-Diphenylhexatriene,1,6 Diphenylhexatriene
D004910	Erythrocyte Membrane	The semi-permeable outer structure of a red blood cell. It is known as a red cell 'ghost' after HEMOLYSIS.	Erythrocyte Ghost,Red Cell Cytoskeleton,Red Cell Ghost,Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton,Cytoskeleton, Erythrocyte,Cytoskeleton, Red Cell,Erythrocyte Cytoskeletons,Erythrocyte Ghosts,Erythrocyte Membranes,Ghost, Erythrocyte,Ghost, Red Cell,Membrane, Erythrocyte,Red Cell Cytoskeletons,Red Cell Ghosts
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013050	Spectrometry, Fluorescence	Measurement of the intensity and quality of fluorescence.	Fluorescence Spectrophotometry,Fluorescence Spectroscopy,Spectrofluorometry,Fluorescence Spectrometry,Spectrophotometry, Fluorescence,Spectroscopy, Fluorescence
D015032	Zinc	A metallic element of atomic number 30 and atomic weight 65.38. It is a necessary trace element in the diet, forming an essential part of many enzymes, and playing an important role in protein synthesis and in cell division. Zinc deficiency is associated with ANEMIA, short stature, HYPOGONADISM, impaired WOUND HEALING, and geophagia. It is known by the symbol Zn.