The effects of ultra-low dose beta-radiation on the physical properties of human erythrocyte membranes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of ultra-low dose beta-radiation (ULDBR) on the physical properties of human erythrocyte membranes.


METHODS
To study the structural changes induced by beta-radiation in erythrocyte ghosts, the interactions of fluorescent probes (1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate, pyrene) with the erythrocyte membranes were investigated. The fluorescent responses to the ULDBR were registered after the addition of (14)C-leucine (37-3700 kBq(l(-1)) in the cellular suspension.


RESULTS
The ULDBR induced essential rearrangements of the membrane structure that appear in alterations of membrane spatial organisation, conformation of membrane proteins (structural flexibility, folding-unfolding), modification of surface and deep zones of membranes, lipid-protein interactions, and fluidity of annular lipids.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings are evidence that, as previously discovered by us, the reversible effect of ULDBR on the zeta potential of human erythrocytes and the functional state of the membrane signal systems is most likely realised through local structural and dynamic rearrangements of macromolecules in cellular membranes.
Zhirnov
Victor V
VV
Department of Cell Signal Systems, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry and Petrochemistry of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine. vic@bpci.kiev.ua
Khyzhnyak
Svetlana V
SV
Voitsitskiy
Vladimir M
VM
D000328:Adult; D000817:Anilino Naphthalenesulfonates / Q000378:metabolism; D001610:Beta Particles; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D004735:Energy Transfer / Q000528:radiation effects; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage
D000817:Anilino Naphthalenesulfonates; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C027132:1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate