Effect of lutein on the transport of Ca2+ across phospholipid bilayer and mitochondrial membrane.
Lutein (3,3'-dihydroxy alpha-carotene), a xanthophyll present in plant chloroplasts, increases the permeability of phospholipid vesicles to Ca2+, even though the pigment does not bind the metal ion. Energy-dependent uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria is inhibited by lutein, which permits a rapid efflux of the ion from Ca2+-loaded mitochondria. These results are consistent with the view that the deleterious action of lutein on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation results from its destabilizing action on membrane structure.
D000818:Animals; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D014975:Lutein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D002118:Calcium; D014975:Lutein