Uranyl acetate induces gel phase formation in model lipid and biological membranes.
The effect of uranyl acetate on the mesomorphic phase state of lipids in model membranes as well as in isolated biological membranes has been examined. As little as 0.8 mM (0.03% [wt/vol]) uranyl acetate induces a liquid crystal-to-gel phase transformation in egg phosphatidic acid, bovine brain phosphatidylserine, and in lysed chromaffin granule membranes. These results along with others in the literature indicate that the uranyl acetate used in samples for electron microscopy could alter membrane morphology.
D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002837:Chromaffin Granules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005782:Gels; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008081:Liposomes; D008954:Models, Biological; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D010712:Phosphatidic Acids; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D005782:Gels; D008081:Liposomes; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010712:Phosphatidic Acids; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; C005460:uranyl acetate