Fusion of phospholipid vesicles induced by Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+.
The capacity of Zn2+, Cd2+, or Hg2+ to induce fusion of phospholipid vesicles composed of 50%/50%, 60%/40%, or 80%/20% dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC)/bovine brain phosphatidylserine (PS) was investigated and compared to that of Ca2+ and Mg2+. In vesicles composed of 50%/50% or 60%/40% DPPC/PS, Zn2+ and Cd2+-induced fusion at concentrations considerably lower than were required for Ca2+-induced fusion. Only limited fusion of 80%/20% DPPC/PS vesicles occurred and Zn2+ was more effective than Ca2+ or Cd2+ in inducing fusion of these vesicles. Mg2+ and Hg2+ did not induce fusion in any of the vesicle systems.
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D004735:Energy Transfer; D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008628:Mercury / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008081:Liposomes; D010718:Phosphatidylserines; D010743:Phospholipids; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D002104:Cadmium; D008628:Mercury; D015032:Zinc