Dichroic behavior of the absorbance signals from dyes NK2367 and WW375 in skeletal muscle fibers

Absorbance signals were recorded from voltage-clamped single muscle fibers stained with the nonpenetrating potentiometric dyes NK2367 and WW375 and illuminated with quasimonochromatic light from 560 to 800 nm, linearly polarized either parallel (0 degree) or perpendicular (90 degrees) to the fiber long axis. The signals from both dyes depend strongly on the incident polarization. At any wavelength and/or polarization condition, the total absorbance signal is a superposition of the same two signal components previously identified with unpolarized light (Heiny, J. A., and J. Vergara, 1982, J. Gen. Physiol., 80:203)--namely, a fast step signal from the voltage-clamped surface membrane and a signal reflecting the slower T-system potential changes. The 0 degree and 90 degrees spectra of both membranes have similar positive and negative absorbance peaks (720 and 670 nm, respectively, for dye NK2367; 740 and 700 nm for dye WW375); in addition, they have the same dichroic maxima (670 for NK2367; 700 for WW375). However, for the surface membrane, the 0 degrees spectra are everywhere more positive than the 90 degrees spectra, whereas the reverse is true for the T-system, which results in a dichroism of opposite sign for the two membranes. These spectral characteristics were analyzed using a general model for the potential-dependent response of an absorbing dye (Tasaki, I., and A. Warashina, 1976, Photochem. Photobiol., 24:191), which takes into account both the dye response and the membrane geometries. They are consistent with the proposal that the dye responds via a common mechanism in both membranes that consists of a dye reorientation and a change in the absorption maxima.     

Oxonol dyes as monitors of membrane potential. Their behavior in photosynthetic bacteria

The responses of oxonol dyes to single and multiple single turnovers of the photosynthetic apparatus of photosynthetic bacteria have been studied, and compared with the responses of the endogenous carotenoid pigments. The absorbance changes of the oxonols can be conveniently measured at 587 nm, because this is an isosbestic point in the ‘light-minus-dark’ difference spectrum of the chromatophores.The oxonols appear to respond to the light-induced ‘energization’ by shifting their absorption maxima. In the presence of K⁺, valinomycin abolished and nigericin enhanced such shifts, suggesting that the dyes respond to the light-induced membrane potential. Since the dyes are anions at neutral pH values, they probably distribute across the membrane in accordance with the potential, which is positive inside the chromatophores. The accumulation of dye, which is indicated by a decrease in the carotenoid bandshift, poises the dye-membrane equilibrium in favor of increased dye binding and this might be the cause of the spectral shift.The dye response has an apparent second-order rate constant of approx. 2 · 10⁶ M^?1 · s^?1 and so is always slower than the carotenoid bandshift. Thus the dyes cannot be used to monitor membrane potential on submillisecond timescales. Nevertheless, on a timescale of seconds the logarithm of the absorbance change at 587 nm is linear with respect to the membrane potential calibrated with the carotenoid bandshift. This suggests that under appropriate conditions the dyes can be used with confidence as indicators of membrane potential in energy-transducing membranes that do not posses intrinsic probes of potential.     

Mechanism of potential-dependent light absorption changes of lipid bilayer membranes in the presence of cyanine and oxonol dyes

Summary The mechanism by which the light absorption of cyanine and oxonol dyes changes in response to changes in transmembrane electrical potential has been studied. Trains of membrane potential steps produce changes in the intensity of light passing through glycerylmonooleate (GMO) bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) in the presence of these dyes. The size of the signal-averaged absorbance change for one of the cyanine dyes diS-C₂-(5) is 10^–5. The response time for the absorbance change of all of the dyes was 10 sec. In order for an absorption signal to be observed, the concentration of dye on both sides of the membrane must be different. Since GMO bilayer membranes are permeable to the charged dyes that were studied, the dye concentration asymmetry necessary for the optical signal had to be maintained with a constant dc membrane potential, onto which the trains of potential steps were superimposed. The more hydrophobic dyes were the most permeant. Inclusion of cholesterol in the GMO bilayers decreased the permeance of the positively charged cyanine dyes, but increased the permeance of the negatively charged oxonol dyes. The magnitude and the size of the BLM absorbance change depended on the wavelength of illumination. Comparisons of the wavelength dependence of the BLM spectra with absorption difference spectra obtained with model membrane systems allow us to postulate a mechanism for a BLM absorbance change. For the cyanine and oxonol dyes, the data are consistent with an ON-OFF mechanism where a quantity of dye undergoes a rapid potential-dependent movement between a hydrocarbon-like binding site on the membrane and the aqueous salt solution near the membrane. For some dyes, which readily aggregate on the membrane, part of the absorbance change may possibly be explained by a potential dependent change in the state of aggregation of dye molecules localized on the membrane. Mechanisms involving a potential dependent change in the polarizability of the environment of membrane-localized dye molecules cannot be excluded, but seem unlikely.     

Interactions of voltage-sensing dyes with membranes. II. Spectrophotometric and electrical correlates of cyanine-dye adsorption to membranes.

The adsorption to bilayer membranes of the thiadicarbocyanine dyes, diSCn(5), has been studied as a function of the membrane's surface-charge density, the aqueous ionic strength, and the length (n) of the hydrocarbon side chain of the dye. "Probe" measurements in planar bilayers, microelectrophoresis of liposomes, and measurement of changes in dye absorbance and fluorescence in liposomes were used to study dye adsorption to membranes. These measurements indicated that the membrane:water partition coefficient for the dye monomer increases with the length of the hydrocarbon side chain. However, the formation of large aggregates in the aqueous phase also increases with increasing chain length and ionic strength so that the actual dye adsorbing to the membrane goes through a maximum at high but not at low ionic strengths. More dye adsorbs to negatively charged than neutral membranes. Membrane-bound dye spectra were easily resolved in negatively charged liposomes where it was observed that these dyes could exist as monomers, dimers, and large aggregates. For diSC1(5) a spectral peak was observed at low but not high ionic strengths (i.e. the conditions in which this dye appears to form voltage-gated channels) corresponding to small aggregates which appeared to adsorb to the membrane. Finally, the adsorption of these dyes to membranes results in more positive electrostatic potentials composed primarily of dye-induced "boundary" potentials and somewhat less of "double-layer" potentials.     

Membrane-potential- and surface-potential-induced absorbance changes of merocyanine dyes added to chromatophores from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

(1) Three analogs of merocyanine dyes added to suspensions of chromatophore vesicles showed absorbance changes responding to the change in surface potential induced by salt addition and to the change in membrane potential induced by illumination. (2) The extent of the light-induced absorbance changes of the dyes was linearly related, in the presence and absence of uncouplers, to that of carotenoid spectral shift which is an intrinsic probe of the intramembrane electric field. (3) Comparison of the merocyanine absorbance changes induced by salt addition with those induced by illumination indicated that the surface potential change in the outer surface of chromatophore membranes during illumination was very small. (4) Judging from the spectra of these absorbance and from the low permeabilities of the dyes to membrane, the absorbance change are attributed to change in distribution of the dyes between the medium and the outer surface region in chromatophore membranes. The extent of the light-induced absorbance changes of merocyanine dyes depended on the salt concentration of the medium. The types of dependence were different among three merocyanine analogs. This is explained by the mechanism mentioned above assuming appropriate parameters. It is suggested that, under continuous illumination, an equilibrium of the electrochemical potential of H⁺ is reached between the bulk aqueous phase and the outer surface region in the membrane where the merocyanine dyes are distributed.     

Effect of organic solvents on the properties of the complexes of DNA with proflavine and similar compounds

In order to obtain information on the binding forces involved in the formation of the complex proflavine–DNA by the stronger process I, the stability of the complexes was investigated in the presence of various organic solvents, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, p-dioxane, glycerol, and ethylene glycol. Quantitative data on binding in terms of K/n and r were obtained by means of absorption and fluorescence spectra, as well as by a thermal denaturation technique. All organic solvents used decrease the binding ability of the dye. The effectiveness of the solvents increases with their hydrocarbon content, but can hardly be related to their dielectric constant. The complex formation is effectively suppressed by organic solvent concentrations, in which DNA still preserves its double-helical conformation. These results demonstrate the importance of hydrophobic forces in the formation of the complex proflavine–DNA in aqueous solution. The similarity in spectroscopic properties of proflavine bound to DNA by process I and the same dye dissolved in an organic solvent make it possible to interpret the observed red shift of the long-wavelength absorption peak as being due to the interaction of the dye molecules with the less polar environment. The same behavior was found for other dyes capable of intercalation like purified trypaflavine, phenosafranine and ethidium bromide. However, intercalation is not a necessary condition, as it was shown in the case of pinacyanol, which binds only at the surface of DNA.     

The relation between dicarbocyanine dye fluorescence and the membrane potential of human red blood cells set at varying Donnan equilibria

The fluorescence, F, of two dicarbocyanine dyes, diS-C3(5) and diI-C3(5), depends both on the membrane potential, E, and on the intracellular pH, pHc, or human red blood cells. Compositions of isotonic media have been devised in which the equilibrium Donnan potential, E, varies at constant pHc and in which pHc varies at constant E. Dye fluorescence measurements in these suspensions yield calibrations of +1.7 % delta F/mV for diS-C3(5) and +0.6 % delta F/mV for diI-C3 (5). While pHo does not affect F of either dye, changes in pHc of 0.1 unit at constant E cause changes of F equivalent to those induced by 2--3mV. Based on these results, a method is given for estimating changes in E from dye fluorescence in experiments in which E and pHc co-vary. The relation of F to E also depends in a complex way on the type and concentration of cells and dye, and the wavelengths employed. The equilibrium calibration of dye fluorescence, when applied to diffusion potentials induced by 1 microM valinomycin, yields a value for the permeability ratio, PK.VAL/PCl, of 20 +/- 5, in agreement with previous estimates by other methods. The calibration of F is identical both for diffusion potentials and for equilibrium potentials, implying that diC-C3(5) responds to changes in voltage independently of ionic fluxes across the red cell membrane. Changes in the absorption spectra of dye in the presence of red cells in response to changes in E show that formation of nonfluorescent dimers contributes to fluorescence quenching of diS-C3(5). In contrast, only a hydrophobic interaction of dye monomers need be considered for diI-C3(5), indicating the occurrence of a simpler mechanism of fluorescence quenching.     

Oxonol dyes as monitors of membrane potential. Their behavior in photosynthetic bacteria.

The reponses of oxonol dyes to single and multiple single turnovers of the photosynthetic apparatus of photosynthetic bacteria have been studied, and compared with the responses of the endogenous carotenoid pigments. The absorbance changes of the oxonols can be conveniently measured at 587 nm, because this is an isosbestic point in the 'light-minus-dark' difference spectrum of the chromatophores. The oxonols appear to respond to the light-induced 'energization' by shifting their absorption maxima. In the presence of K+, valinomycin abolished and nigericin enhanced such shifts, suggesting that the dyes, respond to the light-induced membrane potential. Since the dyes are anions at neutral pH values, they probably distribute across the membrane in accordance with the potential, which is positive inside the chromatophores. The accumulation of dye, which is indicated by a decrease in the carotenoid bandshift, poises the dye-membrane equilibrium in favor of increased dye binding and this might be the cause of the spectral shift. The dye response has an apparent second-order rate constant of approx. 2 . 10(6) M-1 . s-1 and so is always slower than the carotenoid bandshift. Thus the dyes cannot be used to monitor membrane potential on submillisecond timescales. Nevertheless, on a timescale of seconds the logarithm of the absorbance change at 587 nm is linear with respect to the membrane potential calibrated with the carotenoid bandshift. This suggests that under appropriate conditions the dyes can be used with confidence as indicators of membrane potential in energy-transducing membranes that do not possess intrinsic probes of potential.     

The circular dichroism of complexes of 2,7-di-tertiary-butyl proflavine with DNA

The binding isotherm of 2, 7-di-tert-butyl proflavine on calf thymus DNA has been measured by dialysis equilibrium. The CD spectra of complexes of the dye and DNA have been measured, and the variation of the induced circular dichroism of the dye with the amount of dye bound (r) has been found. The results show that di-tert-butyl proflavine binds to DNA in a completely different manner from proflavine itself, since both the visible and ultraviolet CD spectra of complexes of the two dyes with DNA differ markedly. The conformation of the nucleic acid is not affected by the binding of di-tert-butyl proflavine. It is possible that these results may allow determination, by using CD spectroscopy, of whether molecules intercalate into DNA.     

The accumulation of neutral red in illuminated thylakoids

Thylakoids isolated from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) bind only a small fraction of neutral red in the dark whereas they accumulate large amounts of the protonated dye in their inner space under light. Light-induced neutral red uptake depends on the size of the proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane but does not follow the mechanism established for amines. Instead, the correlation between pH gradient and neutral red uptake can be predicted quantitatively assuming that protonated neutral red is accumulated mainly as dimer species.Under appropriate conditions, accumulation of protonated neutral red in the inner thylakoid space is proportional to an absorbance increase at 520 nm. This 520-nm change can be used for the continuous measurement of pH changes in thylakoids during steady-state illumination.     

Differential effects of erythrocyte lysates on spectra of potential-sensing carbocyanine dyes

A recent report by Hladky, S.B. and Rink, T.J. ((1976) J. Physiol. 263, 287–319) demonstrates the binding of a thiocarbocyanine dye (di-S-C₃(5)) to an intracellular constituent from human erythrocytes. Evidence presented below shows that the binding of carbocyanine dyes depends on the particular type of dye used and on the species of erythrocyte from which cellular constituents are prepared. It is recommended that dyes which show minimal binding to intracellular components be used for investigations where carbocyanine dyes are employed as probes of membrane potential.     

The use of Hydrophobic Dye Molecules in Monitoring the Liposome Bilayer Microenvironment and Locating Block Copolymers Added to Enhance Liposome Steric Stability

Abstract

The dispersion of soybean lecithin in water leads to the formation of multilamellar vesicles (MLVs), which on sonication (4hrs approx.) break down to small unilamellar vesicles of ～ 50nm diameter. The addition of polymeric molecules in the liposomal system provides increased steric stabilization. The molecules used were (tri-)block copolymers (Synperonics) containing a central hydrophobic part (polypropylene oxide-PPO) and two hydrophillic chains (polyethylene oxide-PEO) extending from either side. The interaction of these molecules with the vesicle bilayer is thought to be of upmost importance to the mechanical stress, thermodynamic restrictions and steric stability that may be induced. The exact localisation of the copolymer molecules was attempted using a multiprobe technique. The full spectrum of two hydrophobic dyes, namely Nile red (NIL) and Pinacyanol chloride (PCYN), were compared while solubilized inside the liposome bilayer. The sensitivity of their spectral characteristics to polarity and molecular mobility produced a monitor of the bilayer micropolarity and fluidity. The relatively high hydrophobicity of Nile red (NIL) provides an accurate polarity sensor of the bilayer microenvironment. The formation of Pinacyanol chloride (PCYN) dimers (and their respective peak) was directly related to the distance between the dye molecules. Shifts of the maximum absorbance (X_max) for both dyes showed that the bilayer environment was becoming more apolar with increasing copolymer concentration. The absorbance intensity decreased with increasing copolymer concentration, denoting a reduction in the solubilization of both dyes and therefore of the bilayer population. The absorbance peak of Pinacyanol chloride (PCYN) due to dimer formation increased at moderate copolymer concentrations, showing signs of possible incorporation inside the bilayer. These experiments provided information about the bilayer structure. Adding block copolymers at an optimum concentration may increase the stability of the liposome by incorporation, following various models proposed. However, at high content of copolymer some bilayer solubilization and mixed micelle formation may occur.     

Characterization of the isolated calcium-binding vesicles from the green alga Mougeotia scalaris,and their relevance to chloroplast movement

The calcium-binding vesicles from the green alga Mougeotia scalaris were isolated and characterized after staining in vivo by neutral red or rhodamine B. They were found to possess, a protonated group with a pK_a-9.9, typifying phenolic hydroxyl groups; upon titration, both, phenolic compound(s) and vital dye were concomitantly released from the vesicular matrix. A shift in peak absorbance from 450 nm to 540 nm of the vitally stained vesicles indicated that the neutral form of neutral red was bound to the vesicular, matrix as an intermediate form, stabilized via intermolecular hydrogen bonds to the phenolic compound(s). Up to 8.5.10⁹ dye molecules were calculated to be adsorbed to a mean-size vesicle. Analysis of Langmuir adsorption isotherms, indicated that there were two binding sites each for both neutral red and rhodamine B. The isolated vesicles were devoid of calcium, probably because vesicular calcium, bound to the vesicle matrix, was displaced upon dye binding. Dye adsorption to the vesicles in vivo results in substantial inhibition of the reorientational movement of the Mougeotia chloroplast and is explained by dye-mediated disorder of the cellular calcium homoeostasis.Abbreviations NR neutral red - RB rhodamine B - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate This paper is part of the Ph.D. thesis of F. Grolig at Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, FRG     

Impermeant potential-sensitive oxonol dyes: II. The dependence of the absorption signal on the length of alkyl substituents attached to the dye

Summary We have measured the potential-dependent light absorption changes of 43 impermeant oxonol dyes with an oxidized cholesterol bilayer lipid membrane system. The size of the signal is strongly dependent on the chain length of alkyl groups attached to the chromophore. Dye molecules with intermediate chain lengths give the largest signals. To better understand the dependence of the absorbance signal on alkyl chain length, a simple equilibrium thermodynamic analysis has been derived. The analysis uses the free energy of dye binding to the membrane and the on-off model (E.B. George et al.,J. Membrane Biol.,103:245–253, 1988a) for the potential-sensing mechanism. In this model, a population of dye molecules in nonpolar membrane binding sites is in a potential-dependent equilibrium with a second population of dye that resides in an unstirred layer adjacent to the membrane. Dye in the unstirred layer is in a separate equilibrium with dye in the bulk bathing solution. The equilibrium binding theory predicts a sigmoidally shaped increase in signal with increasing alkyl chain length, even for very nonpolar dyes. We suggest that aggregation of the more hydrophobic dyes in the membrane bathing solution may be responsible for their low signals, which are not predicted by the theory.     

Optical probe responses on sarcoplasmic reticulum. Merocyanine and oxonol dyes.

The fluorescence and absorbance of merocyanine 540 in suspensions of skeletal muscle microsomes is altered by the binding of Ca2+ and other cations to the membrane. The order of effectiveness of various cations in causing this effect is La greater than Ca congruent to Mg greater than K. Competition between Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ suggests the involvement of low affinity, relatively nonspecific cation binding sites in the process. Changes in the fluorescence and absorbance of merocyanine were also observed during ATP-dependent accumulation of calcium into sarcoplasmic reticulum. These changes are satisfactorily explained by the binding of accumulated calcium to binding sites on the interior of sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. The small absorbance response of the oxonol dye bis[1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid-(5)]trimethinoxonol to Ca2+ and ATP is qualitatively similar to that of merocyanine 540 and can be readily explained by the same mechanism. We have found no clear evidence that any of the observed dye responses are due to changes in the diffusion potential across the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane generated by an electrogenic transport mechanism. The possibility is considered that merocyanine and oxonol dyes respond to changes in electrostatic surface potential caused by the binding of cations.     

Investigation of photosensitizing dyes for pathogen reduction in red cell suspensions.

Despite recent advances in blood safety by careful donor selection and implementation of infectious disease testing, transmission of viruses, bacteria and parasites by transfusion can still rarely occur. One approach to reduce the residual risk from currently tested pathogens and to protect against the emergence of new ones is to investigate methods for pathogen inactivation. The use of photosensitizing dyes for pathogen inactivation has been studied in both red cell and platelet blood components. Optimal properties of sensitizing dyes for use in red cell suspensions include selection of dyes that traverse cell and viral membranes, bind to nucleic acids, absorb light in the red region of the spectrum, inactivate a wide range of pathogens, produce little red cell photodamage from dye not bound to nucleic acid and do not hemolyze red cells in the dark. Early research at the American Red Cross focused on the use of a class of dyes with rigid structures, such as the phenothiazine dyes, beginning with the prototypical sensitizer methylene blue. Results revealed that methylene blue phototreatment could inactivate extracellular virus, but resulted in undesirable defects in the red cell membrane that resulted in enhanced hemolysis that became evident during extended refrigerated blood storage. In addition, methylene blue phototreatment could neither inactivate intracellular viruses nor appreciably inactivate bacteria under conditions of extracellualar viral killing. Attempts to improve intracellular viral inactivation led to the investigations of more hydrophobic phenothiazines, such as methylene violet or dimethylmethylene blue. Although these dyes could inactivate intracellular virus, problems with increased red cell membrane damage and hemolysis persisted or increased. Further studies using red cell additive storage solutions containing high levels of the impermeable ion, citrate, to protect against colloidal osmotic hemolysis as well as competitive inhibitors to limit sensitizer binding to red cell membranes revealed that photoinduced hemolysis stemmed from dye bound to the red cell membrane as well as dye free in solution. Use of red cell additive solutions to prevent colloidal-osmotic hemolysis and use of novel flexible dyes that only act as sensitizers when bound to their targets are two techniques that currently are under investigation for reducing red cell damage. Ultimately, the decision to implement a photodynamic method for pathogen reduction will be determined by weighing the risks of unintended adverse consequences of the procedure itself, such as the potential for genotoxicity and allergic reactions, against the cost and benefits of its implementation.     

Investigation of photosensitizing dyes for pathogen reduction in red cell suspensions

Despite recent advances in blood safety by careful donor selection and implementation of infectious disease testing, transmission of viruses, bacteria and parasites by transfusion can still rarely occur. One approach to reduce the residual risk from currently tested pathogens and to protect against the emergence of new ones is to investigate methods for pathogen inactivation. The use of photosensitizing dyes for pathogen inactivation has been studied in both red cell and platelet blood components. Optimal properties of sensitizing dyes for use in red cell suspensions include selection of dyes that traverse cell and viral membranes, bind to nucleic acids, absorb light in the red region of the spectrum, inactivate a wide range of pathogens, produce little red cell photodamage from dye not bound to nucleic acid and do not hemolyze red cells in the dark. Early research at the American Red Cross focused on the use of a class of dyes with rigid structures, such as the phenothiazine dyes, beginning with the prototypical sensitizer methylene blue. Results revealed that methylene blue phototreatment could inactivate extracellular virus, but resulted in undesirable defects in the red cell membrane that resulted in enhanced hemolysis that became evident during extended refrigerated blood storage. In addition, methylene blue phototreatment could neither inactivate intracellular viruses nor appreciably inactivate bacteria under conditions of extracellualar viral killing. Attempts to improve intracellular viral inactivation led to the investigations of more hydrophobic phenothiazines, such as methylene violet or dimethylmethylene blue. Although these dyes could inactivate intracellular virus, problems with increased red cell membrane damage and hemolysis persisted or increased. Further studies using red cell additive storage solutions containing high levels of the impermeable ion, citrate, to protect against colloidal osmotic hemolysis as well as competitive inhibitors to limit sensitizer binding to red cell membranes revealed that photoinduced hemolysis stemmed from dye bound to the red cell membrane as well as dye free in solution. Use of red cell additive solutions to prevent colloidal-osmotic hemolysis and use of novel flexible dyes that only act as sensitizers when bound to their targets are two techniques that currently are under investigation for reducing red cell damage. Ultimately, the decision to implement a photodynamic method for pathogen reduction will be determined by weighing the risks of unintended adverse consequences of the procedure itself, such as the potential for genotoxicity and allergic reactions, against the cost and benefits of its implementation.     

Investigation of photosensitizing dyes for pathogen reduction in red cell suspensions

Despite recent advances in blood safety by careful donor selection and implementation of infectious disease testing, transmission of viruses, bacteria and parasites by transfusion can still rarely occur. One approach to reduce the residual risk from currently tested pathogens and to protect against the emergence of new ones is to investigate methods for pathogen inactivation. The use of photosensitizing dyes for pathogen inactivation has been studied in both red cell and platelet blood components. Optimal properties of sensitizing dyes for use in red cell suspensions include selection of dyes that traverse cell and viral membranes, bind to nucleic acids, absorb light in the red region of the spectrum, inactivate a wide range of pathogens, produce little red cell photodamage from dye not bound to nucleic acid and do not hemolyze red cells in the dark. Early research at the American Red Cross focused on the use of a class of dyes with rigid structures, such as the phenothiazine dyes, beginning with the prototypical sensitizer methylene blue. Results revealed that methylene blue phototreatment could inactivate extracellular virus, but resulted in undesirable defects in the red cell membrane that resulted in enhanced hemolysis that became evident during extended refrigerated blood storage. In addition, methylene blue phototreatment could neither inactivate intracellular viruses nor appreciably inactivate bacteria under conditions of extracellualar viral killing. Attempts to improve intracellular viral inactivation led to the investigations of more hydrophobic phenothiazines, such as methylene violet or dimethylmethylene blue. Although these dyes could inactivate intracellular virus, problems with increased red cell membrane damage and hemolysis persisted or increased. Further studies using red cell additive storage solutions containing high levels of the impermeable ion, citrate, to protect against colloidal osmotic hemolysis as well as competitive inhibitors to limit sensitizer binding to red cell membranes revealed that photoinduced hemolysis stemmed from dye bound to the red cell membrane as well as dye free in solution. Use of red cell additive solutions to prevent colloidal-osmotic hemolysis and use of novel flexible dyes that only act as sensitizers when bound to their targets are two techniques that currently are under investigation for reducing red cell damage. Ultimately, the decision to implement a photodynamic method for pathogen reduction will be determined by weighing the risks of unintended adverse consequences of the procedure itself, such as the potential for genotoxicity and allergic reactions, against the cost and benefits of its implementation.     

Interpretation and Optimization of Absorbance and Fluorescence Signals from Voltage-sensitive Dyes

Voltage-sensitive dyes produce absorbance and fluorescence changes that can be used to image voltage. The present study develops a systematic approach to the optimization of these signals. A mathematical analysis assesses the dye optical density (OD) that optimizes the signal-to-noise ratio in absorbance and fluorescence measurements. The signal-to-noise ratio is maximal for a dye OD of 2 (natural logarithm) in absorbance and ~1 in fluorescence. The fluorescence result is approximate because, in contrast to absorbance, the optimal dye OD varies with the amount of scattering and intrinsic absorbance of the tissue. The signal-to-noise ratio of absorbance is higher in thick preparations such as brain slices; fluorescence is superior in thin preparations such as cell culture. The optimal OD for absorbance and fluorescence, as well as the superiority of absorbance, were confirmed experimentally on hippocampal slices. This analysis also provided insight into the interpretation of signals normalized to resting light intensities. With both absorbance and fluorescence, the normalized signal (I/I) varies with OD, and does not reflect the change in dye absorbance. In absorbance this problem is remedied by dividing I/I by the dye OD to obtain the absorbance change. For fluorescence a correction is possible, but is more complicated. Because this analysis indicates that high levels of stain optimize the signal-to-noise, dyes were tested for pharmacological actions and phototoxicity. The absorbance dye RH155 was found to have pharmacological action at high staining levels. The fluorescent dye RH414 was phototoxic. Adverse effects could not be detected with the absorbance dye RH482.     

Influence of trans-membrane potential and of hydrophobic interactions on dye accumulation in mitochondria of living cells

The lipophilic cationic fluorescent dye azopentylmethylindocarbocyanine (APMC) specifically stains the mitochondria in living cells. The dye contains a photosensitive diazirine ring and is suitable for photoaffinity labelling of mitochondrial proteins. By a combination of photoaffinity labelling of cell cultures of mouse fibroblasts (LM) with APMC, lysis of the labelled cells, subsequent micro-gel electrophoresis and detection of the fluorescence of the labelled proteins in the gel lanes with a sensitive microfluorimeter, we determined the number, apparent molecular masses, and relative intensity of the labelled proteins. In LM cells, three proteins with apparent molecular masses of 31, 40, and 74 kDa were labelled with high intensity, and proteins of 28, 29, 44, 48, 49, 66, and 105 kDa with low intensity. Two effects mainly determine the binding of lipophilic dye cations to mitochondrial proteins in living cells: (1) interaction of the trans-membrane potential of the inner mitochondrial membrane with the dye cations; and (2) hydrophobic interactions between the strongly lipophilic proteins of the inner membrane and the lipophilic dye molecules. Preincubation of the cell cultures with drugs that dissipate the trans-membrane potential, such as valinomycin, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and 3-chlorcarbonylcyanidephenylhydrazon (CCCP), strongly reduces or even prevents APMC labelling of mitochondrial proteins. The influence of hydrophobic interactions was investigated by competitive staining experiments using dyes with very different lipophilic properties. The lipophilicity of the dyes was characterized by their R _m values in reversed phase thin-layer chromatography. Prestaining with an excess of strongly lipophilic cationic acridine and phenanthridine dyes, such as pentyl acridinium orange chloride (PAO), nonyl acridinium orange chloride (NAO) and tetramethylpropidium chloride (MP), respectively, completely prevents protein labelling with APMC. Obviously, the dyes occupy the same mitochondrial binding sites as APMC. At equal concentrations the intensity of the 40-kDa signal is strongly reduced, whereas the 31-kDa and 74-kDa signals are unaffected. Using phenanthridine dyes with lower lipophilicity, namely propidium chloride (P), M, and N reduces the peak of the 40-kDa protein in APMC labelling, indicating that the 40-kDa protein preferentially binds lipophilic dye cations.