Binding and permeabilization of lipid bilayers by natural and synthetic 3-alkylpyridinium polymers.
Naturally occurring 3-alkylpyridinium polymers from the marine sponge Reniera sarai are membrane-active compounds exerting a selective cytotoxicity towards non small cell lung cancer cells, and stable transfection of nucleated mammalian cells. In view of their possible use as chemotherapeutics and/or transfection tools, three poly-APS based synthetic compounds were tested on their activity using natural and artificial lipid membranes. The tested compounds were found to be very stable over a wide range of temperature, ionic strength, and pH, and to prefer the solid-ordered membrane state. Their membrane-damaging activity increases with the length of their alkyl chains and the degree of polymerization.
Institute of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, Ljubljana, Slovenia. marjana.grandic@vf.uni-lj.si
Marjana
M
Grandič
Ana
A
Zovko
Robert
R
Frangež
Tom
T
Turk
Kristina
K
Sepčić
D000818:Animals; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011161:Porifera; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D011108:Polymers; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; C115254:poly-APS