Cholesterol in mycoplasma membranes. Composition, ultrastructure and biological properties of membranes from Mycoplasma mycoides var. capri cells adapted to grow with low cholesterol concentrations

The effect of reagents that increase membrane fluidity on the activity of 3-hydroxyl-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase in the CHO-K1 cell

The compounds cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and ethanol both decrease the order parameter of a spin probe embedded in cholesterol-lecithin liposomes, but CTAB produces lowering of the order parameter comparable to that produced by ethanol at a 10,000-fold lower concentration. Treatment of CHO-K1 cells with CTAB or ethanol at concentrations that produce comparable increases of membrane fluidity produce to 2- to 3-fold increase of microsomal membrane cholesterol to phospholipid ratio and a 2- to 3-fold increase of the activity of the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Cells treated with CTAB or ethanol show a progressively decreasing capacity to accumulate alpha-aminoisobutyric acid with increasing drug treatment, but cells pre-treated with CTAB are relatively resistant to the effects of CTAB on alpha-aminoisobutyrate transport. The increase in HMG-CoA reductase by CTAB or ethanol is not observed when these compounds are added directly to cell extracts but, rather, is only observed after 8 hours or exposure of intact cells to these drugs. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide treatment prevent the increase in enzyme activity, and the increase is also blocked in a regulatory mutant of the CHO-K1 cell with permanently repressed HMG-CoA reductase activity. These data are consistent with a homeoviscous adaptation mechanism in the CHO-K1 cell, in which increased activity of HMG-CoA reductase, through a process requiring RNA and protein synthesis, compensates for conditions that increase membrane fluidity by increased cellular cholesterol biosynthesis and cholesterol to phospholipid ratio.

Membrane structures of Acholeplasma laidlawii and its virus

The main types of ultrastructures found in the freeze-fracture faces of Acholeplasma laidlawii S 2 and its virus MV-Lg-L 172 were (1) particles 7-19 nm in diameter, mostly located in the convex cytoplasmic fracture faces. (2) small bulges or aggregates, 13-25 nm in diameter, which occupied only limited areas of both inner and outer fracture faces of some mycoplasmas, (3) numerous tiny grains and/or spikes 2-6 nm in diameter, protruding from a finely structured background, especially in the outer concave mycoplasmal fracture faces, and (4) linear structures, most probably fibrils and thicker filaments, both in the fracture faces and around mycoplasmas and viruses and connected with them. There was a high degree of structural similarity between mycoplasmal and viral membranes: no obvious significant difference was found.

Increased proportion of medium chain fatty acids in nystatin-resistant yeast mutants

Fatty acid composition of phospholipids and steryl esters from four nystatin-resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was compared to that from the wild strain. All the mutant strains which produce several ergosterol intermediates incorporated two- to three-fold as much medium chain fatty acids, especially 14:1 in phospholipids, and 12:0, 14:0 and 14:1 in steryl esters as the wild strain did. The increase in the relative amount of medium chain fatty acids in these mutants was found at all the growth temperatures and the growth phases examined, and in all the phospholipid species.

Failure of Escherichia coli to alter its fatty acid composition in response to cholesterol-induced changes in membrane fluidity

Substantial amounts of exogenously supplied cholesterol were incorporated into the membranes of Escherichia coli during growth and caused a large decrease in membrane fluidity. Although no compensatory changes in fatty acid composition were observed, the incorporation of cholesterol did not affect the rate of growth of E. coli or interfere with the changes in fatty acid composition which normally occur during growth at different temperatures.

Long-chain fatty acid perturbations in Mycoplasma pneumoniae

The fatty acid content of Mycoplasma pneumoniae increased 2.5- to 9.6-fold when the growth medium was supplemented with a saturated, unsaturated, or beta-hydroxy fatty acid, the greatest increase occurring with palmitic acid. The amount of each supplemented fatty acid found within this organism was 2.8 to 5.5% of the total fatty acid content; the exception was palmitic acid. Up to 57% of the palmitic acid was utilized from the supplemented medium, whereas only 0.2 to 10% of the other fatty acids was utilized. Chromatographic and isotopic analyses revealed that 22% of the labeled palmitic acid incorporated from the palmitic acid-supplemented medium remained free in this organism. Also, even though complex lipid synthesis increased a minimum of 3.8-fold under these conditions, this mycoplasma continued to incorporate intact complex lipids from the growth medium. Bacteriostatic and bactericidal studies which used high concentrations of various long-chain fatty acids showed that only palmitic, myristic, and beta-hydroxydecanoic acids were not bactericidal. The addition of palmitic acid to the growth medium resulted in the formation of exceedingly long, filamentous cells in approximately 25% of the population. Osmotic fragility and electron spin resonance spectroscopy studies showed a correlation among this increased fatty acid content, decreased membrane fluidity, and the increased osmotic fragility of palmitic acid-grown cells. In addition, these cells had a lowered cholesterol content. The effect of such compositional changes on osmotic fragility is discussed in this paper. Finally, the profound increase in the total fatty acid content of palmitic acid-grown cells altered neither sensitivity to tetracycline or erythromycin nor the amount of hydrogen peroxide secreted.

Effect of membrane cholesterol on action of phospholipase A2 in Mycoplasma mycoides var. Capri. Evidence for lysophospholipase activity

Cells of Mycoplasma mycoides var. Capri grown in a medium containing 10 micrograms/ml cholesterol (native organisms) or in cholesterol-free medium (adapted organisms) were treated with phospholipase A2. Hydrolysis of polar lipids (phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol) only occurred in the adapted cells. Cholesterol replenishment of the membranes of these adapted cells in vitro which involves an increase from 7 micrograms to 66 micrograms cholesterol/mg membrane protein, completely abolished hydrolysis of polar lipid pools by phospholipase A2. This suggests that cholesterol incorporated either during growth or under conditions in vitro has an identical disposition and function in the membrane. This observation further indicates that cholesterol incorporation in M. mycoides var. Capri can be explained in terms of a simple physical adsorption process. Polar-lipid breakdown products resulting from phospholipase A2 action on intact cells, isolated membranes and lipids extracted from adapted organisms were analyzed. In experiments with intact cells [14C]oleic lysoderivatives but not [3H]palmitic lysoderivatives are accumulated within the membranes. In membrane preparations, again only [14C]oleic lysoderivatives are accumulated but transiently. Finally, both [14C]oleic and [3H]palmitic lysoderivatives were produced in phosphatidylglycerol-diphosphatidylglycerol liposomal preparations. From these results it can be concluded that: (a) 80% of the phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol have an unusual positional distribution of their fatty acid (unsaturated oleic acid in position 1) and (b) membranes of M. mycoides var. Capri contain an active lysophospholipase which more efficiently hydrolyzes palmitic-acid-containing lysoderivatives.

Temperature-dependent relationship between K+ influx, Mg2+-ATPase activity, transmembrane potential and membrane lipid composition in mycoplasma

The temperature-dependent relationship between K+ active influx, Mg2+-ATPase activity, transmembrane potential (delta psi) and the membrane lipid composition has been investigated in mycoplasma PG3. Native organisms were grown in a medium containing 10 microgram/ml cholesterol and either oleic plus palmitic (chol (+), O + P) or elaidic (chol (+), E) acids. Adapted cells were grown in a medium free of exogenous cholesterol and supplemented with elaidic acid (chol (-), E). Arrhenius plots of 42K+ active influx gave a linear relationship for (chol (+), O + P) cells (EA = -9 kcal). On the other hand, when oleic plus palmitic acids are replaced by elaidic acid, an upward discontinuity appears between 28 and 30 degrees C, which is associated with a large increase in the apparent activation energy of the process (t > 30 degrees C, EA = -24 kcal; t < 30 degrees C, EA = -40 kcal). Finally, a biphasic response with a break at approx. 23 degrees C (EA = -7 kcal, t > 23 degrees C; EA = -44 kcal, t < 23 degrees C) is observed for (chol(-), E) organisms. From the lack of correspondence between these effects on the K+ influx and the temperature dependence of both the Mg2+-ATPase activity and delta psi, it is suggested that changes in the membrane lipid composition affect the K+ transport at the level of the K+ carrier itself. Differential scanning calorimetry, steady-state fluorescence polarization of diphenylhexatriene and freeze-fracture electron microscopy experiments further suggest that the effect is largely due to modifications of the membrane microviscosity and that the K+ carrier is associated with the most fluid lipid species present in the membrane.

Phospholipid and cholesterol uptake by Mycoplasma cells and membranes

The ability of growing mycoplasma cells and their isolated membranes to take up exogenous phospholipids was correlated with their ability to take up cholesterol. Horse serum or vesicles made of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol served as lipid donors. Growing cells of five Mycoplasma species took up significant quantities of phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin as well as free and esterified cholesterol. In contrast, growing cells of three Acholeplasma species failed to take up any of the exogenous phospholipids, and only incorporated low amounts of free cholesterol and no esterified cholesterol. Hence, the ability of mycoplasmas to take up large quantities of cholesterol appears to be correlated with an ability to take up exogenous phospholipids. Isolated membranes of Mycoplasma capricolum and Acholeplasma laidlawii took up lower amounts of cholesterol than did membranes of growing cells and did not take up phospholipids. Inhibition of M. capricolum growth decreased the ability of the cells to take up exogenous phospholipids and cholesterol. The possibility that the contact between the lipid donors and the membrane involves specific receptors best exposed in actively growing cells is discussed.

Adaptive alteration in phospholipid composition of plasma membranes from a somatic cell mutant defective in the regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis

A somatic cell mutant (CR1) of a Chinese hamster ovary cell (CHO-K1) which has previously been shown to be defective in the regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis accumulates more cholesterol than the parental cell line in plasma membranes. Although such an increase in membrane cholesterol should lead to an increase in the order parameter of these membranes, as measured with an electron spin resonance spin probe, the order parameters of mutant and wild-type plasma membranes are identical--apparently because of an adaptive alteration in membrane phospholipid composition. The phospholipid compositions of mutant and wild-type cell plasma membranes are compared and the mutant is shown to have a threefold higher level of oleic acid and a twofold lower level of phosphatidylethanolamine than the wild type. These results are consistent with model studies which show that these compositional changes lead to lower-order parameters for phospholipid dispersions.

A comparison of composition and fluidity of multiple sclerosis and normal myelin

Myelin was isolated from normal-appearing white matter from the brains of 11 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, 11 normal individuals, and 1 patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Ratios of protein, cholesterol, and phospholipid content, total fatty acid content, and total amino acid content were determined. The lipid bilayer fluidity of the myelin was measured using electron spin resonance and fluorescence polarization spectroscopy. The protein-to-phospholipid ratio was higher than normal, the cholesterol-to-protein ratio was lower than normal while the cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio was normal in MS myelin. This suggested a relative increase of protein to lipid content in MS myelin. Of the fatty acid content of a total lipid extract, MS myelin had relatively more 16:0, less 18:3, and less 22:3, 24:1 than normal. The total amino acid content of MS myelin was altered in a way which suggested a decreased percentage of basic protein and an increased percentage of proteolipids. SSPE myelin had similar changes in amino acid content but not in protein-to-cholesterol or -phospholipid ratios or fatty acid content as MS myelin. There was no significant difference in myelin fluidity, however, between MS and normal myelin using fatty acid spin labels or fluorescent probes. A correlation was found between the fluidity and the cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio but the MS and normal samples varied over a similar range. Although these alterations in lipid and protein composition had no effect on fluidity, they may nevertheless have serious consequences for myelin structure.

Lipid pattern in split ejaculate and Klinefelter's syndrome

Total lipids, phospholipids, and cholesterol are present in greater amounts in fraction I of split ejaculates of normal healthy volunteers than in other fractions. Glyceride concentrations are higher in fraction III. The cholesterol-phospholipid ratio varies significantly in different fractions. The free ester-cholesterol ratio is also altered in different fractions. The relative importance of these findings in relation to sperm survival and motility is discussed. In whole ejaculates of patients with Klinefelter's syndrome, glyceride concentrations are higher, phospholipid concentrations are lower, and cholesterol concentrations remain unaltered as compared with samples from normal healthy volunteers.

The dynamics of membrane structure

The membranes of living organisms are involved in many aspects of the life, growth and development of all cells. The predominant structural elements of these membranes are lipids and proteins and the basic strucvture of these molecules has been reviewed. The physical properties of the lipid constituents particularly their behavior in aqueous systems has led to the concepts of thermotropic and lyotropic mesomorphism; the interaction between different types of lipid molecules modulate this behavior. Interaction of phospholipids in aqueous systems with cholesterol, ions and drugs have been examined in this context. In addition a variety of model lipid-protein systems have been investigated and the implications of interactions between lipids and different proteins in biological membranes has been evaluated. This leads to a detailed consideration of the way lipids and proteins ae organized in cell membranes and contains an appraisal of the evidence supporting contemporary views of membrane structure. Particular attention has been devoted to the question of how mobile the components are within the structure. Particular attention has been devoted to the question of how mobile the components are within the structure. Finally the biosynthesis, turnover and modulation of the properties of interacting membrane constituents is critically reviewed and possible ways of controlling the behavior of cells and organisms by altering the structural parameters of different membranes has been considered.

Active K+ transport in Mycoplasma mycoides var. Capri. Net and unidirectional K+ movements

Analysis of the cation composition of growing Mycoplasma mycoides var. Capri indicates that these organisms have a high intracellular K+ concentration (Ki: 200--300 mM) which greatly exceeds that of the growth medium, and a low Na+ concentration (Na+i: 20 mM). Unlike Na+i,K+i varies with cell aging. The K+ transport properties studied in washed organisms resuspended in buffered saline solution show that cells maintain a steady and large K+ concentration gradient across their membrane at the expense of metabolic energy mainly derived from glycolysis. In starved cells, K+i decreases and is partially compensated by a gain in Na+. This substitution completely reverses when metabolic substrate is added (K+ reaccumulation process). Kinetic analysis of K+ movement in cells with steady K+ level shows that most of K+ influx is mediated by an autologous K+-K+ exchange mechanism. On the other hand, during K+ reaccumulation by K+-depleted cells, a different mechanism (a K+ uptake mechanism) with higher transport capacity and affinity drives the net K+ influx. Both mechanisms are energy-dependent. Ouabain and anoxia have no effect on K+ transport mechanisms; in contrast, both processes are completely blocked by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, an inhibitor of the Mg2+ -dependent ATPase activity.

Active K+ transport in Mycoplasms mycoides var. Capri. Relationships between K+ distribution, electrical potential and ATPase activity

The addition of 5 . 10(-5) M or less of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to Mycoplasma mycoides var. Capri preferentially influences K+ influx rather than efflux and reduces by 30--40% the activity of the membrane-bound Mg2+- ATPase. Adding valinomycin to metabolizing cells does not markedly affect K+ distribution but induces a rapid and complete loss of intracellular K+ in non-metabolizing cells. Uncoupling agents such as dinitrophenol, carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, dissipate the K+ concentration gradient only when combined with valinomycin. Variations in the merocyanine fluorescence intensity indicate that a transmembrane electrical potential (delta psi) is generated on cell energization. This delta psi, not affected by valinomycin or uncouplers when used alone, is collapsed by a mixture of both. No change in fluorescence intensity can be detected when glucose is added to dicyclohexylcarbodiimide treated organisms. These experiments suggest that the membrane-bound Mg-ATPase activity control K+ distribution in these organisms through the generation of a transmembrane electrical potential difference.

ESR determination of membrane order parameter in yeast sterol mutants

ESR investigations designed to determine membrane order parameter in sterol mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were conducted using the membrane probe, 5-doxyl stearic acid. These mutants are blocked in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway and thus do not synthesize ergosterol, the end product sterol. They do not require exogenous ergosterol for growth and, therefore, incorporate ergosterol biosynthetic intermediates in their membrane. Increasing order parameter is reflective of an increase in membrane rigidity. Single mutants involving B-ring delta 8 leads to delta 7 isomerization (erg 2) and C-24 methylation (erg 6) showed greater membrane rigidity than wild-type during exponential growth. A double mutant containing both lesions (erg 6/2) showed an even greater degree of membrane rigidity. During stationary phase the order of decreasing membrane rigidity was erg 6 greater than erg 6/2 greater than erg 2 = wild-type. The increased membrane order parameter was attributed to the presence of substituted sterols rather than increased sterol content or altered fatty acid synthesis.

Modification of membrane lipids. Phenethyl alcohol-induced alteration of lipid composition in Tetrahymena membranes

Tetrahymena pyriformis NT-I cells in the early-logarithmic phase were incubated with phenethyl alcohol (2-phenylethanol) and effects on the lipid composition were examined in various membranes. 1. There was a marked modification in phospholipid head, as well as fatty acyl group composition in pellicles, mitochondria and microsomes of the phenethyl alcohol-treated cells. Compared with membranes of the control cells, the membranes from phenethyl alcohol-treated cells were found to contain a higher level of phosphatidylcholine content with the compensating decrease in phosphatidylethanolamine, while 2-aminoethylphosphonolipid showed only a slight decrease in these membranes. The acyl group profile of membrane phospholipids in the presence of phenethyl alcohol was also modified so that a profound elevation of the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids. The major monounsaturate, palmitoleate decreased. Such lipid alteration is a reversible process, and therefore upon removal of phenethyl alcohol the modified lipid composition returned to normal. 2. By freeze-fracture electron microscopy in combination with temperature quenching, the outer alveolar membrane of the phenethyl alcohol-treated cell was observed to reveal less aggregation of intercalated-membrane particles, as compared with the control membrane. The quantitative analysis of the thermotropic lateral movement of membrane particles provided evidence that the membrane in the phenethyl alcohol-treated cell became more fluid. Such fluidizing effects may result from an increase in the acyl group unsaturation and also in the phosphatidylcholine content. 3. With regard to the mechanism responsible for the marked decrease in palmitoleate in membrane phospholipids, there was found a depressed conversion of the palmitate to palmitoleate in the phenethyl alcohol-treated cells. It was further suggested that the drug may have an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of palmitoyl-CoA desaturase involving the (16 : 0 leads to 16 : 1) conversion. Also, it was demonstrated that the increase in a precursor-product fashion of phosphatidylcholine with the corresponding decrease in phosphatidylethanolamine was not due to transformation of phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine through stepwise methylation.

Effect of membrane cholesterol on potassium transport in Mycoplasma mycoides var. Capri (PG3)

Relationships between membrane lipid composition and physiological properties, particularly intracellular potassium levels, have been studied at 37 degrees C in Mycoplasma mycoides var. Capri (PG3). Native organisms grown on medium supplemented with either oleic acid plus palmitic acid or elaidic acid have identical growth characteristics, acidification properties and intracellular K content. On the other hand, when the cholesterol normally present in the membrane (20--25% of total lipids) is reduced to less than 2%, we observe: (1) the intracellular K content decreases (20 microgram K/mg cell protein instead of 40) and is independent of the phase of growth; (2) K passive permeability is drastically increased but K distribution remains in equilibrium with the transmembrane potential (delta psi); (3) organisms stop growing at pH 6.5 (instead of 5.2) and acidification is reduced by 40%, suggesting a large increase in H+ permeability, and (4) intracellular Na contents rise from 3 to 9 microgram Na/mg cell protein. Replenishing cholesterol in membranes of depleted cells results in a recovery of the high intracellular K level (35--40 microgram K/mg cell protein) and acidification properties. It is suggested that cholesterol affects the cation content via the increase in proton permeability which in turn controls the value of the delta psi responsible for the value of intracellular K equilibrium. Changes in K passive permeability, although related to the amount of cholesterol present in the plasma membrane, are probably not involved in the control of the intracellular K level.

Influence of increased membrane cholesterol on membrane fluidity and cell function in human red blood cells

Cholesterol and phospholipid are the two major lipids of the red cell membrane. Cholesterol is insoluble in water but is solubilized by phospholipids both in membranes and in plasma lipoproteins. Morever, cholesterol exchanges between membranes and lipoproteins. An equilibrium partition is established based on the amount of cholesterol relative to phospholipid (C/PL) in these two compartments. Increases in the C/PL of red cell membranes have been studied under three conditions: First, spontaneous increases in vivo have been observed in the spur red cells of patients with severe liver disease; second, similar red cell changes in vivo have been induced by the administration of cholesterol-enriched diets to rodents and dogs; third, increases in membrane cholesterol have been induced in vitro by enriching the C/PL of the lipoprotein environment with cholesterol-phospholipid dispersions (liposomes) having a C/PL of greater than 1.0. In each case, there is a close relationship between the C/PL of the plasma environment and the C/PL of the red cell membrane. In vivo, the C/PL mole ratio of red cell membranes ranges from a normal value of 0.09--1.0 to values which approach but do not reach 2.0. In vitro, this ratio approaches 3.0. Cholesterol enrichment of red cell membranes directly influences membrane lipid fluidity, as assessed by the rotational diffusion of hydrophobic fluorescent probes such as diphenyl hexatriene (DPH). A close correlation exists between increases in red cell membrane C/PL and decreases in membrane fluidity over the range of membrane C/PL from 1.0 to 2.0; however, little further change in fluidity occurs when membrane C/PL is increased to 2.0--3.0. Cholesterol enrichment of red cell membranes is associated with the transformation of cell contour to one which is redundant and folded, and this is associated with a decrease in red cell filterability in vitro. Circulation in vivo in the presence of the spleen further modifies cell shape to a spiny, irregular (spur) form, and the survival of cholesterol-rich red cells is decreased in the presence of the spleen. Although active Na-K transport is not influenced by cholesterol enrichment of human red cells, several carrier-mediated transport pathways are inhibited. We have demonstrated this effect for the cotransport of Na + K and similar results have been obtained by others in studies of organic acid transport and the transport of small neutral molecules such as erythritol and glycerol. Thus, red cell membrane C/PL is sensitive to the C/PL of the plasma environment. Increasing membrane C/PL causes a decrease in membrane fluidity, and these changes are associated with a reduction in membrane permeability, a distortion of cell contour and filterability and a shortening of the survival of red cells in vivo.

Modulation of macrophage tumoricidal capability by components of normal serum: a central role for lipid

The tumoricidal capabilities of macrophages can be reversibly inhibited by a lipoprotein of high molecular weight, and the inhibition appears to be reproduced by enrichment of macrophage plasma membranes with cholesterol. A second serum component of lower molecular weight enhances macrophage cytotoxicity. The presence of these components in normal serums suggests a physiological role for such factors in the regulation of macrophage function.

Interaction between tetanolysin and Mycoplasma cell membrane

1. A partially purified tetanolysin preparation lysed the sterol-requiring Mycoplasma capricolum cells but had no effect on M. capricolum cells adapted to grow with no or very little cholesterol. The sterol-non-requiring Acholeplasma laidlawii cells grown either in a cholesterol-rich or a cholesterol-poor medium were unaffected by the tetanolysin preparation. 2. The lysis of M. capricolum cells by the tetanolysin preparation was temperature dependent, inhibited by cholesterol, sublytic concentrations of lucensomycin, and Mg2+. The sensitivity to lysis was greatly affected by the age of the culture, being highest in cells from the early logarithmic phase of growth and declining sharply thereafter. 3. Isolated M. capricolum membranes were capable of binding large amounts of the tetanolysin activity (up to 30 hemolytic units per mug membrane protein), 20 times as much as membranes of the adapted strain. The binding of tetanolysin activity to membranes was almost the same at 4,22, or 37 degrees C, and was very little affected by the age of the culture. The binding capacity of the membranes was not affected by the removal of 60-70% of membrane proteins by pronase digestion but markedly decreased with the removal of membrane lipids. 4. Of the five polypeptide bands detected in electrophorograms of the partially purified tetanolysin preparation, two bands (mol. wt. 44 000 and 42 000) were found to bind to the cholesterol-containing mycoplasma membrane preparation. EPR spectrometry revealed that the freedom of motion of fatty acid spin labels in the tetanolysin-treated membranes was markedly higher than that in untreated membranes. 5. The concept that tetanolysin interacts specifically with membrane cholesterol resulting in the shielding of cholesterol from its interaction with membrane phospholipids is discussed.

Effect of the lipid composition of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri and phosphatidylcholine vesicles upon the action of polyene antibiotics

(1) The effects of filipin and amphotericin methyl ester upon the K+ efflux from Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri and egg lecithin sonicated vesicles were investigated. Both the nature of the sterol and the composition of the membranes affected the sensitivity to each polyene antibiotic. (2) M. mycoides subsp. capri containing ergosterol was much more sensitive to amphotericin methyl ester than cells containing cholesterol. Cholesterol-containing cells were about twice as sensitive to filipin as the ergosterol-containing cells. These results were confirmed with phosphatidylcholine vesicles. (3) At 2 degrees C the filipin sensitivity of M. mycoides subsp. capri was independent of the membrane cholesterol content and the sensitivity towards amphotericin methyl ester decreased when the membrane cholesterol content was increased, in contrast to the results at 20 degrees C. (4) At 2 degrees C, sterol-free egg lecithin vesicles became very sensitive to both filipin and amphotericin methyl ester and the presence of cholesterol in the vesicles did not increase the sensitivity further. At high concentrations of cholesterol (greater than 30 mol%), the polyene antibiotic sensitivity, particularly towards amphotericin methyl ester, was greatly reduced.

Modification of the fatty acid composition of Ehrlich ascites tumor cell plasma membranes

The fatty acyl group composition of Ehrlich ascites tumor cell plasma membranes was modified by feeding the tumor-bearing mice diets rich in either coconut or sunflower oil. When coconut oil was fed, the oleate content of the membrane phospholipids was elevated and the linoleate content reduced. The opposite occurred when sunflower oil was fed. Qualitatively similar changes were observed in the plasma membrane phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and mixed phosphatidylserine plus phosphatidylinositol fractions. These diets also produced differences in the sphingomyelin fraction, particularly in the palmitic and nervonic acid contents. Unexpectedly, the saturated fatty acid content of the plasma membrane phospholipids was somewhat greater when the highly polyunsaturated sunflower oil was fed. The small quantities of neutral lipids contained in the plasma membrane exhibited changes in acyl group composition similar to those observed in the phospholipids. These fatty acyl group changes were not accompanied by any alteration in the cholesterol or phospholipid contents of the plasma membranes. Therefore, the lipid alterations produced in this experimental model system are confined to the membrane acyl groups.

The influence of enrichment with cholesterol on the phagocytic activity of rat macrophages

Prolonged treatment of rats with a cholesterol-rich diet induced hypercholesterolaemia and increased free cholesterol content of peritoneal macrophages. A 2-2 times increase in plasma membrane cholesterol was demonstrated in cholesterol-enriched macrophages. These cells showed a significant inhibition of phagocytosis. The inhibition was 37-0% and 81-7% for latex particles or lipid droplets, respectively.

Effect of phase transition on the distribution of membrane-associated particles in microsomes

(1) Rat liver microsomes were studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. The distribution of membrane-associated particles indicated the right-side-out orientation of microsomal vesicles. Studies at different temperatures were performed. At 30 degrees C membrane-associated particles are randomly distributed on membrane A-faces, while aggregations of particles are observed at 4 degrees C. (2) Aggregation is dependent on the cooling rates. It can be prevented by shock-freezing. (3) Particle aggregation is also prevented by cholesterol, added to the microsomes in equal molar ratio to the microsomal phospholid content. (4) These findings suggest that particle aggregation is caused by a partial freezing-out of phospholipid molecules during the phase transition from the liquid-crystalline to the gel state. (5) The results are discussed with respect to an observed increase in activation energy of microsomal drug monooxygenation at lower temperature.