Platelet-activating factor is a general membrane perturbant.
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is, at physiological (nanomolar) concentrations, a potent mediator of inflammation and coagulation. At pharmacological (micromolar) concentrations, PAF induces a variety of effects in diverse tissues. Here we show that PAF at micromolar concentrations is a membrane perturbant. Micromolar PAF alters the properties of channels formed by gramicidin A, and at concentrations greater than or equal to 4 microM disrupts the barrier properties of the host lipid bilayer. PAF thus can act as a detergent and non-specifically alter the behavior of membranes and membrane proteins. This may provide an explanation for some of the effects of PAF seen at high concentrations in vitro.
Sawyer
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DB
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021.
Andersen
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OS
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006096:Gramicidin; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000378:metabolism; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003902:Detergents; D007473:Ion Channels; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D006096:Gramicidin