title: Pyrene as a membrane depth gauge: wavelength selective fluorescence approach to monitor pyrene localizations in the membrane.
abstract: We take the advantage of pyrene's unique spectral properties as a reliable polarity indicator to monitor pyrene localizations in the membrane depth by using wavelength selective fluorescence approach. We show that fine structure of pyrene fluorescence emission spectra and excimerization rate in model and native phospholipid membranes depend on the excitation wavelength. This phenomenon is not observed in neat solvents. In membranes, the dependence on the excitation wavelength reflects selective excitation of pyrene molecules located close to the membrane-water polar interface, or deep in the hydrophobic core of the membrane, verified with the aid of pyrene derivatives of fatty acids of various lengths.
authors: Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
authors: Shirley
authors: S
authors: Mazor
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Vanounou
authors: Itzhak
authors: I
authors: Fishov
mesh_terms: D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D011721:Pyrenes; C030984:pyrene