Calcium and magnesium induced changes in the relative fluidity of phosphatidylcholine liposomes.

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
1990-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The effect of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on relative fluidity of phosphatidylcholine liposomes was studied by measuring the degree of chlorophyll fluorescence polarization. An increase in the degree of fluorescence polarization was observed on incubation of liposomes with different concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+ . The results have been interpreted on the basis of increase in the size of liposomes which could be brought about by calcium or magnesium induced fusion of small unilamellar liposomes to form larger vesicles. Fusion of liposomes has also been confirmed by the experiments on efficiency of energy transfer from chlorophyll b to chlorophyll a, and transmission electron microscopy of liposomes before and after incubation with Ca2+ and Mg2.
Description
Keywords
Liposomes, fluidity, fluorescence polarization, phosphatidylcholine
Citation
Mishra R K, Singhal Gauri S. Calcium and magnesium induced changes in the relative fluidity of phosphatidylcholine liposomes. Journal of Biosciences. 1990 Sep; 15(3): 193-197.