title: Control of pro-oxidant activity of cupric ions by entrapment in unilamellar lipid vesicles.
abstract: As a demonstration of a potential means of delivering and controlling the biochemical and biological activity of metal ions, cupric ions have been trapped in unilamellar phospholipid vesicles. The activity of these cupric ion-containing vesicles as catalysts of the autoxidation of ascorbate and epinephrine has been investigated. A marked increase in autoxidation rate was observed on release of the cupric ion on addition of detergent. When an azobenzene-containing photochromic lipid was incorporated in the bilayer membrane of the vesicles, the release of cupric ions could be initiated by irradiation with ultraviolet light. In the dark, these vesicles remained stable for at least several weeks. Photo-controlled release of liposomally-entrapped species might find application in areas similar to those where 'caged' reagents are presently used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Salford, UK.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bisby
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Munro
mesh_terms: D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D002384:Catalysis; D002412:Cations / Q000494:pharmacology; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019327:Copper Sulfate; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D008081:Liposomes / Q000528:radiation effects; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000528:radiation effects; D010782:Photolysis; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D002412:Cations; D008081:Liposomes; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; C053913:1,2-bis(4-(n-butyl)phenylazo-4'-phenylbutyroyl)phosphatidylcholine; D015060:1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine; D003300:Copper; D019327:Copper Sulfate; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D010100:Oxygen; D004837:Epinephrine