Oxyethylene chain-cation complexation: nonionic polyoxyethylene detergents attain a positive charge and demonstrate electrostatic head group interactions.
We report literature data indicating that the polyoxyethylene chain of polyoxyethylene detergents attracts cations via dipole-ion interactions thereby attaining a positive charge character. This implies that nonionic polyoxyethylene detergents like Triton X-100 and C12E8 may interact electrostatically with phospholipid head groups. We describe how a positive charge character of Triton X-100 and C12E8 can explain their hitherto mysterious stomatocytogenic shape altering effect in human erythrocytes.
Hägerstrand
H
H
Department of Biology, Abo Akademi University, Abo/Turku, Finland.
Bobacka
J
J
Bobrowska-Hägerstrand
M
M
Kralj-Iglic
V
V
Fosnaric
M
M
Iglic
A
A
D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D048429:Cell Size; D003902:Detergents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017830:Octoxynol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055672:Static Electricity; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D002412:Cations; D003902:Detergents; D010743:Phospholipids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D017830:Octoxynol