铈对亚洲苦草铜害的缓解效应

铈能减缓铜毒害导致的亚洲苦草根叶可溶性蛋白含量的下降及超氧阴离子 (O2-· )、丙二醛(MDA)的累积。与同浓度的单一铜处理相比 ,加入 2 0mg·L-1 的铈后 ,根和叶超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)、过氧化氢酶 (CAT)活性和抗坏血酸 (AsA)含量不同程度的增强或增多 ,而过氧化物酶 (POD)的活性先降后升 ,暗示铈可能通过提高亚洲苦草活性氧清除能力以增强对铜的抗性和耐性。比较来看 ,铈对叶的缓解效应较根明显。     

纳米银对紫萍休眠芽萌发、存活和生长的影响

纳米银(AgNPs)是一种潜在的新型环境污染物,本研究以紫萍(Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid)休眠芽为实验材料,研究AgNPs对休眠芽萌发率、存活率及叶状体数目、面积和叶绿素含量等指标的影响,并对各项指标的半数效应浓度(EC₅₀)进行比较。结果显示,AgNPs可以抑制紫萍休眠芽的萌发,高浓度(10 mg/L)时可造成休眠芽死亡率显著增加。紫萍休眠芽萌发后叶状体数目和叶状体面积、色素含量均随浓度增加逐渐降低,表现出剂量效应,且叶绿素a对AgNPs最敏感。研究结果表明AgNPs对水生植物紫萍无性繁殖体的萌发和生长都具有抑制作用,具有一定的生态风险。     

铜对紫背浮萍的影响

利用紫萍(Spirodela polyrhiza)作材料,在实验室条件下研究了增加铜对紫萍生长、光合作用色素含量、叶绿素a荧光的产生和植物体内铜累积的影响。结果表明,环境中增加1μmol L-1d的Cu2+时即可显著地抑制紫萍的生长(用鲜重和干重表示),随增加的铜的量加大,对生长的抑制作用增加,鲜重在8 μmol L-1Cu2+时,干重在2 μmol L-1 Cu2+以上时出现负增长;铜水平的升高可使叶绿素含量大幅下降,但对类胡萝卜素的含量影响不大;对叶绿素a荧光的产生也有影响,短时间的处理(24 h内)使Fo和Fm升高,但Fv/Fm变化很小,随着处理时间的延长和处理浓度的增加,Fo和Fm下降至很低水平,特别是Fm下降更快,以至Fv/Fm可能出现负值,表明光合作用器官已受到破坏;当铜处理水平增加时植物体内的铜含量水平也增加,表明其对铜有一定的累积作用,但因为在高铜浓度水平下植物的生物量显著下降,因而从植物修复的角度考虑,在中等或微量铜污染的情况下,才能选择适宜来源的紫萍用于进行铜污染环境的植物修复。     

稀土元素铈对花生幼苗生长与抗氧化保护酶系统的影响

采用溶液培养方法,研究不同浓度硝酸铈对花生(Arachis hypogaea)幼苗生长、开花数目及抗氧化酶过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性与丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,铈浓度低于20.0 mg·L–1能促进花生幼苗生长及开花,其中以10.0 mg·L–1铈的效果最为明显,其生物量和开花数分别约为对照的1.3倍和2.8倍;但高于20.0 mg·L–1则抑制花生幼苗生长,降低花朵数目;同时,低于20.0 mg/L铈可抑制花生幼苗过氧化物酶(POD)活性和降低其丙二醛(MDA)含量,其中以10.0 mg·L–1铈的抑制效果最明显,其POD活性和MDA含量约为对照的47.51%和20.76%;而低于20.0 mg·L–1铈能提高花生幼苗的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,其中以5.0 mg·L–1铈的促进效果最明显,其SOD活性约为对照的2.0倍。     

外源NO对2+胁迫下小桐子幼苗抗氧化能力的影响

为探讨外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)对铜(Cu2+)胁迫的缓解效应,该试验以小桐子幼苗为材料,先通过小桐子幼苗根茎生长指标的变化筛选出后续实验适宜的SNP(0.2mmol/L)和Cu2+浓度(90mmol/L),再进一步考察SNP预处理对Cu2+胁迫下幼苗脯氨酸(Pro)和丙二醛(MDA)的含量及抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果显示:(1)Cu2+处理能诱导小桐子幼苗叶片中Pro和MDA含量显著升高,且过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧物歧化酶(SOD)、愈创木酚过氧化物酶(POD)及抗坏血酸专一性过氧化物酶(APX)的活性增强。(2)用SNP预处理能显著提高Cu2+胁迫下幼苗叶片Pro的含量,进一步增强叶片中CAT、SOD、POD和APX活性,降低MDA的含量。研究表明,0.2mmol/L的SNP能够通过提高小桐子幼苗的抗氧化酶活性和游离脯氨酸含量来增强其抗氧化胁迫能力,从而显著缓解Cu2+胁迫对幼苗造成的氧化伤害,维持其正常生长发育。     

发酵乳杆菌多铜氧化酶的异源表达及酶学性质

生物胺是一种存在于发酵食品中的含氮小分子有机化合物,过量摄入可能引起过敏或其他不良反应。利用酶法降解是减少发酵食品中生物胺含量从而保障食品安全的有效方法之一。文中成功克隆了来源于发酵乳杆菌的多铜氧化酶基因,在大肠杆菌中表达的酶活水平为484 U/L。通过镍柱亲和层析方法获得了此多铜氧化酶的纯酶。该多铜氧化酶的最适反应温度为50℃,最适反应pH为3.5,其K_m为1.3 mmol/L,V_(max)为7.67×10~(-2) mmol/(L·min)。对酶的应用特性研究表明,来源于发酵乳杆菌的多铜氧化酶对18%(W/F)NaCl有一定的耐受性,并可降解包括色胺、苯乙胺、腐胺、尸胺、组胺、酪胺和亚精胺在内的7种生物胺。其中它对组胺和酪胺的降解能力最高,分别为51.6%和40.9%。此外,该酶对酱油中的生物胺也有普遍降解作用,使用较低酶量(500 U/L)时,对酱油中总胺的降解率达到10.6%。多铜氧化酶具备降解发酵食品中生物胺的潜力,为进一步实现这类食品酶的实际应用奠定基础。     

外源甜菜碱对盐胁迫下颠茄生理特性及托品烷类生物碱含量的影响

以颠茄(Atropa belladonna L.)幼苗为材料,通过人工模拟盐胁迫条件,探讨在100 mmol/L盐胁迫下喷施不同浓度(20 mmol/L和40 mmol/L)的甜菜碱(GB)溶液对颠茄幼苗生理特性及托品烷类生物碱含量的影响。结果显示,外源甜菜碱增强了颠茄叶片的光合作用,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均有不同程度的提高;丙二醛(MDA)含量显著下降,硝态氮、可溶性蛋白、游离氨基酸含量及硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)、谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)活性显著升高。颠茄次生代谢途径中的前体氨基酸(鸟氨酸和精氨酸)的含量以及托品烷类生物碱(莨菪碱和东莨菪碱)的含量也明显升高。研究结果表明100 mmol/L盐胁迫处理对颠茄的生长产生了抑制作用,而20 mmol/L甜菜碱处理能较好地缓解这种伤害。     

海藻酸铈配合物对毒死蜱胁迫下菠菜叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

以菠菜(Spinacia oleracea L.)为材料,研究了毒死蜱胁迫下海藻酸铈配合物对菠菜叶片抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响。结果表明,在毒死蜱胁迫下,菠菜叶片中H2O2积累量比对照明显增加,非酶促抗氧化物质-抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量明显降低,抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)和单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)的活性明显升高。在毒死蜱胁迫下,喷施不同浓度的海藻酸铈配合物使菠菜叶片中的H2O2积累量减少,AsA和GSH含量升高,APX、GR、DHAR和MDAR等抗氧化酶活性也有所提高,缓解了毒死蜱胁迫。试验表明,适宜浓度的海藻酸铈配合物处理可使菠菜叶片对毒死蜱胁迫有一定的缓解作用。     

紫花苜蓿对铜胁迫生理响应的傅里叶变换红外光谱法研究

为阐明紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)对铜胁迫的耐性机理,采用准确度好、分辨率高和简便快捷的傅里叶变换红外光谱法(FTIR)研究在不同铜浓度(0、1、5、20、100 mol/L)处理时紫花苜蓿根、茎、叶化学组分的变化。结果表明:随着铜处理浓度的增加,紫花苜蓿根、茎、叶生物量变化不大。其根组织在2924 cm~(-1)处峰高处呈现出先下降后上升的趋势,反映了在低铜(5 mol/L)处理条件下紫花苜蓿分泌的有机酸不断螯合Cu,造成羧酸0-H的减少,但随着Cu含量的升高,其羧酸螯合力变弱,有机酸含量渐渐升高;根组织在1381 cm~(-1)处峰高先下降后上升,反映了含油脂化合物含量先下降后升高。可能与植物在细胞壁结构上增强抗逆性有一定关系,即低Cu处理下细胞壁可能通过提高阳离子交换能力(CEC),增强了耐Cu性;茎组织在2924,1643,1381,1064 cm~(-1)等处峰高无明显变化;叶组织所有峰值在低浓度(5 mol/L)Cu处理下变化不明显,高浓度(5 moL/L)Cu处理下所有峰值先升后降,随着这可能与可溶性糖及可溶性蛋白质等物质含量都呈现先升后降的趋势有关。这表明紫花苜蓿通过根部有机酸含量的变化和提高细胞壁阳离子交换能力,将吸收的Cu大部分积累在根部,阻止Cu向地上部分运输,有效地保护了植物地上部分组织。     

一氧化氮对小麦叶片镍毒害的缓解作用

采用溶液培养法研究了重金属镍(Ni)对扬麦158(Triticum aestivumL)幼苗生长的影响及外源一氧化氮(NO)对Ni毒害的缓解作用。结果表明,100μmol/LNi处理显著抑制小麦幼苗生长,导致叶绿素含量下降,丙二醛(MDA)含量显著升高,且叶片过氧化物酶(POD)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽转硫酶(GST)等抗氧化酶活性升高。400μmol/L硝谱钠(SNP,NO供体)预处理2d,能够明显减轻Ni毒害,使叶绿素和MDA含量基本恢复至对照水平。NO可能是通过提高APX和GR等抗氧化酶的活性及谷胱甘肽含量而增强植株抗氧化能力,显著减轻由Ni导致的叶片Ca和Fe含量下降而增强小麦幼苗抵御Ni毒害的能力。     

硅对铜胁迫下小麦幼根细胞超微结构的影响

为探索硅对重金属铜胁迫下小麦的缓解作用,以矮抗58为供试材料,采用室内溶液培养法,研究不同浓度重金属铜(0、15、30 mg·L^-1)胁迫及铜胁迫下添加外源硅(50 mg·L^-1)对小麦幼苗生长、根系活力及根尖超微结构的影响.结果表明: 铜处理下,小麦幼苗根长、株高和根系活力均极显著低于对照(P＜0.01),加硅处理后小麦根长、株高和根系活力与单一铜处理相比均有所提高.铜胁迫下,小麦根尖细胞壁和细胞膜均遭到不同程度的破坏,细胞间空隙加大、细胞器消失;加硅处理后,虽然与对照相比,部分细胞和细胞器仍有变形,但细胞结构基本保持完好.综上,外源硅能在一定程度上缓解重金属铜对小麦幼苗生长及细胞组分的胁迫.
     

Effect of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine on Cu(2+)-induced inactivation of HDL-associated paraoxonasel and oxidation of HDL; inactivation of paraoxonasel activity independent of HDL lipid oxidation

Paraoxonase1 (PON1), one of HDL-asssociated antioxidant proteins, is known to be sensitive to oxidative stress. Here, the effect of endogenous reducing compounds on Cu²⁺-mediated inactivation of PON1 was examined. Cu²⁺-mediated inactivation of PON1 was enhanced remarkably by catecholamines, but not by uric acid or homocysteine. Furthermore, catecholamines such as 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), dopamine or norepinephrine were more effective than caffeic acid or pyrocatechol in promoting Cu²⁺-mediated inactivation of PON1, suggesting the importance of dihydroxybenzene group as well as amino group. DOPA at relatively low concentrations showed a concentration-dependent inactivation of PON1 in a concert with Cu²⁺, but not Fe²⁺. The DOPA/Cu²⁺-induced inactivation of PON1 was prevented by catalase, but not hydroxyl radical scavengers, consistent with Cu²⁺-catalyzed oxidation. A similar result was also observed when HDL-associated PON1 (HDL-PON1) was exposed to DOPA/Cu²⁺. Separately, it was found that DOPA at low concentrations (1-6 μM) acted as a pro-oxidant by enhancing Cu²⁺-induced oxidation of HDL, while it exhibited an antioxidant action at ≥10 μM. In addition, Cu²⁺-oxidized HDL lost the antioxidant action against LDL oxidation. Meanwhile, the role of DOPA/Cu²⁺-oxidized HDL differed according to DOPA concentration; HDL oxidized with Cu²⁺ in the presence of DOPA (60 or 120 μM) maintained antioxidant activity of native HDL, in contrast to an adverse effect of DOPA at 3 or 6 μM. These data indicate that DOPA at micromolar level may act as a pro-oxidant in Cu²⁺-induced inactivation of PON1 as well as oxidation of HDL. Also, it is proposed that the oxidative inactivation of HDL-PON1 is independent of HDL oxidation.     

Cu2+-catalyzed oxidative degradation of thyroglobulin

Thyroglobulin (Tg) was subjected to metal-catalyzed oxidation, and the oxidative degradation was analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. In contrast to no effect of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) alone on the Tg degradation, the inclusion of Cu²⁺ (30 μM), in combination with 2 mM H₂O₂, caused a remarkable degradation of Tg, time- and concentration-dependent. The action of Cu²⁺ was not mimicked by Fe²⁺, suggesting that Tg may interact selectively with Cu²⁺. A similar degradation of Tg was also observed with Cu²⁺corbate system, and the concentration of Cu²⁺ (5-10 μM), in combination with ascorbate, required for the effective degradation was smaller than that of Cu²⁺ (10-30 μM) in combination with H₂O₂. In support of involvement of H₂O₂ in the Cu²⁺ corbate action, catalase expressed a complete protection. However, hydroxyl radical scavengers such as dimethylsulfoxide or mannitol failed to prevent the oxidation of Tg whereas phenolic compounds, which can interact with Cu²⁺, diminished the oxidative degradation, presumably consistent with the mechanism for Cu²⁺-catalyzed oxidation of protein. Moreover, the amount of carbonyl groups in Tg was increased as the concentration (3-100 μM) of Cu²⁺ was enhanced, while the formation of acid-soluble peptides was not remarkable in the presence of Cu²⁺ up to 200 μM. In further studies, Tg pretreated with heat or trichloroacetic acid seemed to be somewhat resistant to Cu²⁺-catalyzed oxidation, implying a possible involvement of protein conformation in the susceptibility to the oxidation. Based on these observations, it is proposed that Tg could be degraded non-enzymatically by Cu²⁺-catalyzed oxidation.     

Broad-spectrum antioxidant peptides derived from His residue-containing sequences present in human paraoxonase 1

Hydroxyl or peroxyl radicals and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) are known to cause the oxidation of lipoproteins. Here, we examined Cu²⁺-binding property of paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and antioxidant actions of peptides, resembling His residue-containing sequences in PON1, against oxidations by Cu²⁺, peroxyl radicals or HOCl. When Cu²⁺-binding property of PON1 was examined spectrophotometrically, the maximal Cu²⁺ binding was achieved at 1:1 molar ratio of PON1: Cu²⁺. Additionally, Cu²⁺-catalyzed oxidative inactivation of PON1 was prevented by Ca²⁺-depleted PON1 at 1:1 ratio, but not diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC)-modified PON1, suggesting the participation of His residue in Cu²⁺-binding. When His-containing peptides were examined for antioxidant actions, those with either His residue at N-terminal position 2 or 3, or His-Pro sequence at C-terminal remarkably prevented Cu²⁺-mediated low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and PON1 inactivation. Especially, FHKALY, FHKY or NHP efficiently prevented Cu²⁺-induced LDL oxidation (24 h), indicating a tight binding of Cu²⁺ by peptides. In support of this, the peptide/Cu²⁺ complexes exhibited a superoxide-scavenging activity. Separately, in oxidations by 2,2'-azobis-2-amidinopropane hydrochloride or HOCl, the presence of Tyrosine (Tyr) or Cysteine (Cys) residue markedly enhanced antioxidant action of His-containing peptides. These results indicate that His-containing peptides with Tys or Cys residues correspond to broad spectrum antioxidants in oxidation models employing Cu²⁺, 2,2'-azobis-2-amidinopropane hydrochloride (AAPH) or HOCl.     

Cu2+对拟南芥根的局部毒性及诱导DNA损伤和细胞死亡

该文探讨了不同浓度的Cu²⁺胁迫对拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)根生长、活性氧(ROS)积累、抗氧化酶活性、质膜完整性和细胞活性的影响, 通过分根实验初步分析了Cu²⁺毒性效应的影响范围。结果表明, Cu²⁺胁迫可显著抑制拟南芥主根伸长, 诱导ROS积累及DNA损伤, 促发抗氧化酶活性升高, 破坏质膜完整性, 且Cu²⁺浓度越高, 毒性效应越明显, 在高浓度Cu²⁺胁迫下细胞活性显著降低。分析各参数之间的关系, 表明ROS的积累与超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活性呈显著正相关; ROS积累与DNA损伤、质膜完整性、细胞活性之间具有显著的近线性关系。分根实验结果表明, 只有在添加重金属Cu²⁺(75 μmol·L^–1)一侧培养基中的根生长受抑制, 并出现ROS积累、细胞死亡, 暗示Cu²⁺对拟南芥根系的局部毒性效应可能是由于ROS的局部性积累导致受胁迫根系一侧的细胞死亡所引起的。     

Copper-Ligand Interactions and Physiological free Radical Processes. Part 2. Influence of Cu2+ Ions on Cu+-Driven Oh Generation and Comparison with Their Effects on Fe2+-Driven Oh Production

In our search to establish a reference ·OH production system with respect to which the reactivity of copper(II) complexes could then be tested, the influence of free Cu²⁺ ions on the Cu⁺/H₂O₂ reaction has been investigated.

This influence depends on the C_Cu²⁺/C_Cu⁺ ratio. At low Cu²⁺ concentrations, ·OH damage to various detector molecules decreases with increasing Cu²⁺ concentrations until C_Cu²⁺/C_Cu⁺ reaches unity. Above this value, ·OH damage increases sharply until C_Cu²⁺/C_Cu⁺ becomes equal to 5 with salicylate and 2 with deoxyribose, ratios for which the protective effect of Cu²⁺ cancels. Finally, at higher concentrations, Cu²⁺ ions logically add their own ·OH production to that normally expected from Cu⁺ ions. The possible origin of this unprecedented alternate effect has been discussed. The possible influence of Cu⁺ ions on the generation of ·OH radicals by water gamma radiolysis has also been tested and, as already established for Cu²⁺ in a previous work, shown to be nonexistent. This definitely confirms that either form of ionised copper cannot scavenge ·OH radicals in the absence of a Iigand.     

糙皮侧耳（平菇）菌株CCEF89的生理生化研究

基于5mg/kg Cu²⁺以及1mL/L愈创木酚处理下的栽培料,通过对糙皮侧耳（平菇）菌株CCEF89的生长特性、降解过程、酶活产量以及胞外蛋白质含量的测定与分析,揭示了该菌株在营养生长和子实体形成过程中的生理生化变化。生长特性测定表明,2,2’-连氮基-双-(3-乙基苯并二氢噻唑啉-6-磺酸)二铵盐（ABTS）、愈创木酚、MnCl₂使菌丝生长变慢。菌丝在前10d主要对酸不溶木质素和半纤维素进行降解,20d开始利用纤维素和酸溶木质素。5mg/kg Cu²⁺处理的栽培料会促进菌丝生长,出菇期提前并促进漆酶分泌,而1mL/L愈创木酚的处理则在某种程度上对营养生长和子实体发育有抑制作用。12d后,羧甲基纤维素酶活与木聚糖酶具有极显著正相关性,且羧甲基纤维素酶活与胞外蛋白质含量也存在相关性。     

Stability constants of metal complexes of phosphonoacetic acid

The antiviral drug, phosphonoacetic acid (PAA), forms stable complexes with Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. Stability constants of these complexes were determined in aqueous solution (0.15 M in KNO₃, 37°) by potentiometric titration. Mixed ligand complex formation of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ with PAA and glycinate ion, and with PAA and histidinate ion, was studied. In a theoretical model for blood plasma, PAA affects the distribution of Mg²⁺ and, to a lesser extent, Ca²⁺.     

A new macrocyclic tetraamine, 2,4-dinitrophenylcyclen (= 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane):synthesis, cation reporter properties, and recognition of 1-methylthymine by its zinc(II) complex

A new functional macrocyclic ligand, 2,4-dinitrophenylcyclen (= 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane), has been synthesized and isolated as its trihydrochloric acid salt (L·3HCl). The protonation constants (log K_n) for three secondary nitrogens of L were determined by potentiometric pH titration to be 10.10, 7.33 and <2 with I = 0.10 (NaNO₃) at 25°C. The 2,4-dinitrophenylaniline chromophore was proven to be a good reporter signaling proton- and metal-binding events in the macrocyclic cavity. The UV absorption band (λ_max 370 nm, 8200) of the 2,4-dinitrophenylaniline moiety at pH ≥ 9 becomes quenched as pH is lowered (to pH 3.1, where the major species is L·2H⁺), due to the strong protonation effect extended to the aniline moiety within the macrocyclic cavity. This is in sharp contrast to the pH-independent UV absorption (λ_max 390 nm, 14 000) of a reference compound, N,N-diethyl-2,4-dinitroaniline. The UV absorption band of L is shifted to lower wavelengths with Zn²⁺ (λ_max 320 nm), Cd²⁺ (λ_max 316 nm) and Pb²⁺ (λ_max 317 nm), while it almost disappears with Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺. The 1:1 Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ complexes with L were isolated and characterized. The Zn²⁺ complex recognizes 1-methylthymine anion (MT⁻) in aqueous solution at physiological pH to yield a stable ternary complex ZnL-MT⁻. The X-ray crystal structure of ZnL-MT⁻ showed that Zn²⁺ is four-coordinate with three secondary nitrogens of L and the deprotonated imide anion that is cofacial to the 2,4-dinitrophenyl ring.     

Cu ions interact with cell membranes

The influence of Cu²⁺ ions on the physical properties of resealed human erythrocyte membranes was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. A net ordering effect was observed at the hydrophobic–hydrophilic interface both in the bulk as well as in the lipid–protein boundary. The explanation for this result was found by X-ray diffraction performed in multilayers of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE), representative of phospholipid classes located in the outer and inner monolayers of the human erythrocyte membrane, respectively. Cu²⁺ did not significatively affect the structure of DMPE; however, DMPC polar head and hydrocarbon chain arrangements were perturbed at low but reordered at high Cu²⁺ concentrations. These effects were respectively explained in terms of a limited and extended interaction between Cu²⁺ ions and DMPC PO₄⁻ groups. Thus, the ordering effect in the erythrocyte membrane could be based on the interaction of this cation with phosphatidylcholine phosphate groups located in its outer leaflet. This binding, besides producing a decrease of membrane fluidity, might also induce a change in its electric field. These two effects should affect the activity of membrane proteins, particularly of ion channels. In fact, it was found that increasing concentrations of Cu²⁺ ions applied to either the mucosal or serosal surface of the isolated toad skin elicited a dose-dependent decrease of the short-circuit current (SCC) and of the potential difference (PD). These results lead to the conclusion that Cu²⁺ ions inhibited Na⁺ transport across the epithelial cell membranes.