title: Characterization of hemolytic activity of 3-alkylpyridinium polymers from the marine sponge Reniera sarai.
abstract: Polymeric alkylpyridinium salts (poly-APS) isolated from the marine sponge Reniera sarai act as potent anticholinesterase agents; in addition they show moderate hemolytic and cytotoxic activities. The hemolytic activity of poly-APS is due to their detergent-like structure and behavior in aqueous solutions. In this work, the hemolytic activity of poly-APS is analyzed and compared to that of structurally-related monomeric cationic surfactants. The influence of different divalent cations and lipids on poly-APS induced hemolysis is discussed. The dimensions of lesions caused by poly-APS in erythrocyte membranes are determined by the use of osmotic protectants. Finally, the possible role of poly-APS in their natural environment is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malovrh
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sepcić
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Macek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002413:Cations, Divalent; D002417:Cattle; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011161:Porifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002413:Cations, Divalent; D011725:Pyridines