Potentiation of free radical-induced lipid peroxidative injury to sarcolemmal membranes by lipid amphiphiles

The effects of naturally occurring lipid amphiphiles on free radical-mediated peroxidative injury in isolated canine sarcolemma were studied. Highly enriched canine myocytic sarcolemmal membranes were preincubated for 10 min at 37 degrees C with or without different amphiphilic lipids before the addition of a free radical-generating system consisting of dihydroxyfumarate and Fe3+-ADP. Lipid peroxidation, assayed as malondialdehyde formation, was catalyzed linearly up to 40 min in the control samples. Pretreatment of the sarcolemma with palmitoyl-CoA, palmitoylcarnitine, or lysophosphatidylcholine accelerated the initial rates (20 min) of peroxidation in a concentration-dependent manner (10-100 microM) and achieved maximal stimulation (240%, 160%, and 210%, respectively, of controls) at 50 microM concentrations of each of these amphiphiles. However, free fatty acids, CoA, and carnitine were without effect. These promoting effects of the amphiphiles persisted over a wide pH range (pH 6.0-7.8) and exhibited additive effects when lower levels of different amphiphiles were combined together. Associated with the accelerated rates of peroxidation produced by palmitoyl-CoA and palmitoylcarnitine were greater losses in the activity of sarcolemmal (Na,K)-ATPase. Since all three kinds of amphiphilic lipids accumulate during ischemia, this study suggests a novel mechanism of potentiation of sacolemmal membrane injury when free radicals are present.     

The formation and properties of thin lipid membranes from HK and LK sheep red cell lipids

Lipids were obtained from high potassium (HK) and low potassium (LK) sheep red cells by sequential extraction of the erythrocytes with isopropanol-chloroform, chloroform-methanol-0.1 M KCl, and chloroform. The extract contained cholesterol and phospholipid in a molar ratio of 0.8:1.0, and less than 1% protein contaminant. Stable thin lipid membranes separating two aqueous compartments were formed from an erythrocyte lipid-hydrocarbon solution, and had an electrical resistance of ∼10⁸ ohm-cm² and a capacitance of 0.38–0.4 µf/cm². From the capacitance values, membrane thickness was estimated to be 46–132 A, depending on the assumed value for the dielectric constant (2.0–4.5). Membrane voltage was recorded in the presence of ionic (NaCl and/or KCl) concentration gradients in the solutions bathing the membrane. The permeability of the membrane to Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl^- (expressed as the transference number, T _ion) was computed from the steady-state membrane voltage and the activity ratio of the ions in the compartments bathing the membrane. T _Na and T _K were approximately equal (∼0.8) and considerably greater than T _Cl (∼0.2). The ionic transference numbers were independent of temperature, the hydrocarbon solvent, the osmolarity of the solutions bathing the membranes, and the cholesterol content of the membranes, over the range 21–38°C. The high degree of membrane cation selectivity was tentatively attributed to the negatively charged phospholipids (phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine) present in the lipid extract.     

Supramolecular surfactants: amphiphilic polymers designed to disrupt lipid membranes

Simple polyesters derived from poly(ethylene glycol)s and alpha, omega-dicarboxylic acids exhibit a broad range of activity in disrupting phospholipid membranes. This activity has been analyzed by measuring the release of liposome-encapsulated 5(6)-carboxy-fluorescein (CF). Comparison with an analogous monomeric surfactant, and with Triton X-100, demonstrates that macromolecular activity is a sensitive function of the size of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments within each repeat unit, and that high disrupting power is possible. In vitro studies with the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 have revealed that those polyesters which exhibit the highest membrane disrupting power also provide significant protection for human CD4+ lymphocytes against HIV-1. The potential for adjusting and utilizing these "supramolecular surfactants" in medicine is briefly discussed.     

Maleimide-functionalized lipids that anchor polypeptides to lipid bilayers and membranes

Two maleimide-containing diacylglycerol derivatives were synthesized to permit the anchoring of short peptides and longer polypeptides to phospholipid bilayers and membranes. The maleimide was introduced at the site normally occupied by a phospholipid headgroup. The first lipid, the dipalmitoyl ester of 1-maleimido-2,3-propanediol, was developed as a membrane anchor for extracellular domains of transmembrane proteins. The second anchoring lipid, in which the 3-position contained a 6-aminohexanoate, was designed for convenient modification with amine-reactive reporter groups. Specifically, the NBD fluorophore, 7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1, 3-diazole-aminohexanoic-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, was attached to give an fluorescent anchoring reagent. Next, these reagents were applied to the anchoring of a C-terminally cysteamine-modified 8 kDa polypeptide that comprises the extracellular N-terminal domain of the human thrombin receptor, a transmembrane protease-activated receptor (PAR-1). Gel filtration and fluorescence analysis showed that the fluorescent lipopolypeptide spontaneously inserted into preformed phospholipid vesicles, but it did not insert into whole cell membranes. In contrast, the dipalmitoyl derivative could only be reconstituted into artificial membranes by mixing the lipopolypeptide and phospholipid before vesicle formation. These results suggest that biophysical interactions governing the lipopolypeptide insertion into artificial and cellular membranes may differ. The thiol-reactive lipidating reagents should be valuable materials for studying the structure and function of peptides and polypeptides at phospholipid bilayer surfaces.     

Oxidation of lipids and membranes II: Effects of oxidants on cerebral white matter homogenates

Bovine cerebral white matter homogenates were oxidized by various oxidizing solutions of equal molarity and subsequently extracted with water. Most of the oxidants tested (K-dichromate, FeCl₃, H₂O₂, O₂, and chloroperbenzoic, ascorbic, performic, and periodic acids) rendered the various myelin constituents less extractable than the constituents of unoxidized control homogenates. KMnO₄, and to a lesser degree hemoglobin, rendered myelin constituents more extractable with water than those of the control homogenates. The findings indicate that most of the oxidants produced stabilization of the lamellar pattern, probably through cross-linking and polymerization. KMnO₄ and hemoglobin caused labilization and breakdown of the membranous structure. Proof that stabilization of membranes is caused by some oxidants and that fragmentation occurs by the action of KMnO₄ and hemoglobin was obtained by the light-scattering technique and by electron microscopy of the oxidized homogenates. Evidence obtained indicated that formation of hydrophobic end groups during oxidation favors polymerization, while prevalence of hydrophilic groups is associated with fragmentation.     

Black lipid membranes of tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum.

Black lipid membranes were formed of tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum and compared to the bilayer forming lipids diphytanoylphosphatidylcholine and diphythanylglucosylglycerol. Bilayer-forming lipids varied in thickness of black lipid membranes due to the organic solvent used. Measurements of the specific membrane capacitance (Cm = 0.744 microF/cm2) showed that the membrane-spanning tetraether lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum form a monolayer of a constant thickness of 2.5-3.0 nm no matter from which solvent. This finding corresponds to the results of Gliozzi et al. for the lipids of another archaebacterium, Sulfolobus solfataricus. Black lipid membranes were formed at room temperature with a torus from bilayer-forming lipids, however, the torus could also be formed by the tetraether-lipid itself at room temperature and at defined concentration. In these stable black lipid membranes, conductance was measured in the presence of valinomycin, nonactin, and gramicidin. At 10(-7) M concentration, valinomycin mediated higher conductance in membranes from tetraether lipids (200-1200 microS/cm2) than from bilayer-forming lipids (125-480 microS/cm2). Nonactin, at 10(-6) M concentration, mediated a 6-fold higher conductance in a tetraether lipid membrane than in a bilayer, whereas conductance, in the presence of 5 x 10(-11) M gramicidin could reach higher values in bilayers than in tetraether lipid monolayers of comparable thickness. Monensin did not increase the conductance of black lipid membranes from tetraether lipids under all conditions applied in our experiments. Poly(L-lysine) destroyed black lipid membranes. Lipopolysaccharides from Thermoplasma acidophilum were not able to form stable black lipid membranes by themselves. The lipopolysaccharide complexes from Thermoplasma acidophilum and from Escherichia coli decreased the valinomycin-mediated conductance of monolayer and bilayer membranes. This influence was stronger than that of the polysaccharide dextran.     

Self-regulation of the lipid content of membranes by non-bilayer lipids: a hypothesis

Many biological membranes contain lipids that do not form a lamellar phase but the roles of these lipids are not well understood. An artificial membrane assembled from the main non-bilayer lipid and the major integral protein of pea thylakoids revealed that the protein spatially inhibits the formation of non-bilayer structures in the lamellae. Without this inhibition, excess lipids are secreted, creating lipid reservoirs for metabolism and/or later uptake. This determines the protein:lipid ratio in the membrane and hence the balance between structural flexibility and the stability of the key constituents that participate in cooperative interactions.     

In vitro lipid metabolism in the rat pancreas. I. Basal lipid metabolism.

1. The in vitro basal lipid metabolism of rat pancreatic fragments was compared with that in adipose tissue fragments and liver slices. 2. [1-14C]Acetate added to the media was mostly incorporated into palmitic acid and to a lesser extent into oleic acid. In addition, pancreatic tissue exhibited a marked capacity for elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by [1-14C]acetate and resulting desaturation when compared to adipose tissue and liver. 3. Data obtained in the presence of [U-14C]glucose, [1-14C]palmitate and 3H20 indicate that acetyl-CoA derived from glucose and from beta-oxidation of fatty acids contributed to de novo lipogenesis. 4. Oxidation of [1-14C]palmitic acid was 9-13 times higher in the pancreas than in adipose tissue or liver when expressed on a wet weight basis. 5. The fatty acid moiety of pancreatic glycerolipids could be derived from de novo synthesis, fatty acids added to the medium, or from fatty acids formed from the hydrolysis of endogenous lipids. The glycerol moiety could be derived either from glucose, or directly from glycerol through participation of glycerol kinase.     

Permeability and electrical properties of planar lipid membranes from thylakoid lipids.

Electrical measurements were carried out on planar lipid membranes from thylakoid lipids. The specific capacitance of membranes formed from decane-containing monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), which accounts for 57% of the total lipid content of thylakoids, showed that it adopted a bilayer structure. Solvent-free bilayers of MGDG were not formed, with very rare exceptions, indicating that decane is required to stabilize the planar conformation. However, this cone-shaped lipid produces bilayer structures in combination with other cylindrical thylakoid lipids even in the absence of organic solvent. We compared the properties of solvent-free and decane-containing bilayers from MGDG, soybean lecithin, and the quaternary mixture of lipids similar to that found in vivo. The conductance of decane-MGDG was 26 times higher than that of decane-lecithin. The flux through the decane-lecithin bilayer was found to be slightly dependent on pH, whereas the decane-MGDG membrane was not. The specific conductance of bilayers formed from the quaternary mixture of lipids was 5 to 10 times larger than lecithin (with alkane or not). Further experiments with bilayers made in the presence of a KCl gradient showed that decane-MGDG, decane-MGDG/DGDG/SQDG/PG, and solvent-free MGDG/DGDG/SQDG/PG were cation-selective. The permeability coefficient for potassium ranged from 4.9 to 8.3 x 10(-11) cm s-1. The permeability coefficient for protons in galactolipids, however, was determined to be about six orders of magnitude higher than the value for potassium ions. The HCl permeation mechanism through the lipid membranes was determined from diffusion potentials measured in HCl gradients. Our results suggest that HCl was not transported as neutral molecules. The data is discussed with regard to the function of galactolipids in the ion transport through thylakoid membranes.     

Properties of lipid bilayer membranes made from lipids containing phytanic acid

Besides the preparation of phytanic acid (3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecylic acid) according to the Dumas-Stass reaction, the synthesis of four different lipids containing phytanic acid residues is described. Diphytanoyl phophatidylcholine was systhesized beginning from glycerylphosphorylcholine, whereas the other lipids, diphytanoyl phosphatidylethanolamine, diphytanoyl phosphatidylserine and monophytanoyl glyceride were prepared by total synthesis.Some properties of lipid bilayer membranes made from the lipids containing phytanic acid were investigated. The specific capacity of these membranes was measured. Its value of approximately 400 nF cm^?2 was found to be similar to the value of membranes from lipids with unbranched fatty acid residues. Charge pulse experiments were performed using dipicrylamine as a molecular probe of membrane structure. The results were discussed on the basis of a higher viscosity of the membranes from lipids containing phytanic acid residues compared with unbranched fatty acid residues.     

Modeling morphological instabilities in lipid membranes with anchored amphiphilic polymers

Anchoring molecules, like amphiphilic polymers, are able to dynamically regulate membrane morphology. Such molecules insert their hydrophobic groups into the bilayer, generating a local membrane curvature. In order to minimize the elastic energy penalty, a dynamic shape instability may occur, as in the case of the curvature-driven pearling instability or the polymer-induced tubulation of lipid vesicles. We review recent works on modeling of such instabilities by means of a mesoscopic dynamic model of the phase-field kind, which take into account the bending energy of lipid bilayers.     

In vitro formation of different tubulin polymers from purified tubulin of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Preparations of cycled tubulin from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells contain several acessory proteins; once or twice cycled microtubule preparations are usually composed of fibers 10 nm in diameter, but lack vimentin. Highly purified tubulin consists of α- and β-tubulin and a minor component which was identified by peptide mapping as a second β-chain. This pure tubulin is able to form in vitro at low concentrations (1 mg protein/ml) fibers of about 10 nm width, and at higher concentrations (3.5 mg protein/ml) normal microtubules.     

Spontaneous vesicle formation at lipid bilayer membranes.

Unilamellar vesicles are observed to form spontaneously at planar lipid bilayers agitated by exothermic chemical reactions. The membrane-binding reaction between biotin and streptavidin, two strong transmembrane neutralization reactions, and a weak neutralization reaction involving an "antacid" buffer, all lead to spontaneous vesicle formation. This formation is most dramatic when a viscosity differential exists between the two phases bounding the membrane, in which case vesicles appear exclusively in the more viscous phase. A hydrodynamic analysis explains the phenomenon in terms of a membrane flow driven by liberated reaction energy, leading to vesicle formation. These results suggest that energy liberated by intra- and extracellular chemical reactions near or at cell and internal organelle membranes can play an important role in vesicle formation, membrane agitation, or enhanced transmembrane mass transfer.     

Magainin 2 channel formation in planar lipid membranes: the role of lipid polar groups and ergosterol

Magainin 2, a polycationic peptide, displays bactericidal and tumoricidal activity, presumably interacting with negatively charged phospholipids in the membrane hosts. In this work, we investigate the role played by the lipid head-group in the interactions and self-association of magainin 2 during pore formation in lipid bilayers. Two methods are used: single-channel and macroscopic incorporation into planar lipid membranes. Single-channel incorporation showed that magainin 2 did not interact with zwitterionic membranes, while the addition of negatively charged dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol to the membrane leads to channel formation. On the other hand, magainin 2 did not form channels in membranes made up of dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS), although the addition of ergosterol to DOPS membranes leads to channel formation. This finding could indicate that ergosterol may be a possible target of magainin 2 in fungal membranes. Further support for this hypothesis comes from experiments in which the addition of ergosterol to palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine membranes induced channel formation. Besides the role of negatively charged membranes, this study has shown that magainin 2 also forms channels in membranes lacking heads, such as monoolein and oxidized cholesterol, indicating an interaction of magainin 2 with acyl chains and cholesterol, respectively. This finding provides further evidence that peptide binding and assembly in lipid membranes is a complex process driven by electrostatic and/or hydrophobic interactions, depending on the structure of the peptide and the membrane composition.     

In vitro studies of skeletal muscle membranes

Summary Sarcolemmal membranes were prepared from slow-twitch (red) and fasttwitch (white) skeletal muscle of the rat. A sensitive adenylate cyclase assay was used and basal, fluoride- and catecholamine-stimulated activities measured. The greaterin vivo sensitivity of red muscle to the effects of catecholamines correlates, in the present study, with approximately a twofold stimulation of its sarcolemmal adenylate cyclase with isoproterenol (10 m). The white muscle enzyme, on the other hand, is only minimally stimulated (20%) at the same concentration of -adrenergic agonist. Fast-twitch muscle is known to be physiologically insensitive to catecholaminein vivo.A course of sciatic nerve denervation was followed to further distinguish these two metabolic types of skeletal muscle and their respective adenylate cyclases. The slow-twitch muscle enzyme activities were completely and permanently lost on denervation. The white muscle enzyme, however, recovered almost completely after an initial reduction in specific activity the first week. Interestingly, the NaF-stimulated activity lagged behind both the basal and hormone-stimulated activities of the white muscle enzyme, in returning to control levels. The activities of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase were evaluated in homogenates of the two muscle types in innervated rats and following denervation, in order to further define the neural influence on skeletal muscle cyclic nucleotide metabolism.The results suggest that the motor nerve may regulate some of the metabolic properties of slow-twitch muscle (which may involve cyclic AMP) by controlling the responsiveness of its sarcolemmal-bound adenylate cyclase system.Presented in part at the 60th Annual Meeting, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, April, 1976, Anaheim, California.