Proton/hydroxide conductance through phospholipid bilayer membranes: effects of phytanic acid

Intrinsic Membrane Permeability to Small Molecules

Spontaneous solute and solvent permeation through membranes is of vital importance to human life, be it gas exchange in red blood cells, metabolite excretion, drug/toxin uptake, or water homeostasis. Knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms is the sine qua non of every functional assignment to membrane transporters. The basis of our current solubility diffusion model was laid by Meyer and Overton. It correlates the solubility of a substance in an organic phase with its membrane permeability. Since then, a wide range of studies challenging this rule have appeared. Commonly, the discrepancies have their origin in ill-used measurement approaches, as we demonstrate on the example of membrane CO₂ transport. On the basis of the insight that scanning electrochemical microscopy offered into solute concentration distributions in immediate membrane vicinity of planar membranes, we analyzed the interplay between chemical reactions and diffusion for solvent transport, weak acid permeation, and enzymatic reactions adjacent to membranes. We conclude that buffer reactions must also be considered in spectroscopic investigations of weak acid transport in vesicular suspensions. The evaluation of energetic contributions to membrane translocation of charged species demonstrates the compatibility of the resulting membrane current with the solubility diffusion model. A local partition coefficient that depends on membrane penetration depth governs spontaneous membrane translocation of both charged and uncharged molecules. It is determined not only by the solubility in an organic phase but also by other factors like cholesterol concentration and intrinsic electric membrane potentials.

Effect of individual SCFA on the epithelial barrier of sheep rumen under physiological and acidotic luminal pH conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate whether individual short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) have a different potential to either regulate the formation of the ruminal epithelial barrier (REB) at physiological pH or to damage the REB at acidotic ruminal pH. Ruminal epithelia of sheep were incubated in Ussing chambers on their mucosal side in buffered solutions (pH 6.1 or 5.1) containing no SCFA (control), 30 mM of either acetate, propionate or butyrate, or 100 mM acetate. Epithelial conductance (Gt), short-circuit current (Isc), and fluorescein flux rates were measured over 7 h. Thereafter, mRNA and protein abundance, as well as localization of the tight junction proteins claudin (Cldn)-1, -4, -7, and occludin were analyzed. At pH 6.1, butyrate increased Gt and decreased Isc, with additional decreases in claudin-7 mRNA and protein abundance (each P < 0.05) and disappearance of Cldn-7 immunosignals from the stratum corneum. By contrast, the mRNA abundance of Cldn-1 and/or Cldn-4 were upregulated by 30 mM propionate, 30 mM butyrate, or 100 mM acetate (P < 0.05), however, without coordinated changes in protein abundance. At luminal pH 5.1, neither Gt, Isc, nor TJ protein abundance was altered in the absence of SCFA; only fluorescein flux rates were slightly increased (P < 0.05) and fluorescein signals were no longer restricted to the stratum corneum. The presence of acetate, propionate, or butyrate at pH 5.1 increased fluorescein flux rates and Gt, and decreased Isc (each P < 0.05). Protein abundance of Cldn-1 was decreased in all SCFA treatments but 30 mM butyrate; abundance of Cldn -4 and -7 was decreased in all SCFA treatments but 30 mM acetate; and abundance of occludin was decreased in all SCFA treatments but 30 mM propionate (each P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining of SCFA-treated tissues at pH 5.1 showed disappearance of Cldn-7, discontinuous pattern for Cldn-4 and blurring of occludin and Cldn-1 signals in tight junction complexes. The fluorescein dye appeared to freely diffuse into deeper cell layers. The strongest increase in Gt and consistent decreases in the abundance and immunosignals of tight junction proteins were observed with 100 mM acetate at pH 5.1. We conclude that SCFA may contribute differently to the REB formation at luminal pH 6.1 with possible detrimental effects of butyrate at 30 mM concentration. At luminal pH 5.1, all SCFA elicited REB damage with concentration appearing more critical than SCFA species.

Differential Cationization of Fatty Acids with Monovalent Cations Studied by ESI-MS/MS and Computational Approach

RATIONALE

The intercellular and intracellular transport of charged species (Na+ /K+ ) entail interaction of the ions with neutral organic molecules and formation of adduct ions. The rate of transport of the ions across the cell membrane(s) may depend on the stability of the adduct ions, which in turn rely on structural aspects of the organic molecules that interact with the ions.

METHODS

Positive ion ESI mass spectra were recorded for the solutions containing fatty acids (FAs) and monovalent cations (X=Li+ , Na+ , K+ , Rb+ and Cs+ ). Product ion spectra of the [FA+X]+ ions were recorded at different collision energies. Theoretical studies were exploited under both gas phase and solvent phase to investigate the structural effects of the fatty acids during cationization. Stability of [FA+X]+ adduct ions were further estimated by means of AIM topological analyses and interaction energy (IE) values.

RESULTS

Positive ion ESI-MS analyses of the solution of FAs and X+ ions showed preferential binding of the K+ ions to FAs. The K+ ion binding increased with the increase in number of double bonds of FAs, while decreased with increase in the number of carbons of FAs. Dissociation curves of [FA+X]+ ions indicated the relative stability order of the [FA+X]+ ions and it was in line with the observed trends in ESI-MS. The solvent phase computational studies divulged the mode of binding and the binding efficiencies of different FAs with monovalent cations.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the studied monovalent cations, the cationization of FAs follow the order K+ >>Na+ >Li+ >Rb+ >Cs+ . The docosahexaenoic acid showed high efficiency in binding with K+ ion. The K+ ion binding efficiency of FAs depends on the number of double bonds in unsaturated FAs and the carbon chain length in saturated FAs. The cationization trends of FAs obtained from the ESI-MS, ESI-MS/MS analyses were in good agreement with solvent phase computational studies.

Lipid raft components cholesterol and sphingomyelin increase H+/OH- permeability of phosphatidylcholine membranes

H+/OH- permeation through lipid bilayers occurs at anomalously high rates and the determinants of proton flux through membranes are poorly understood. Since all life depends on proton gradients, it is important to develop a greater understanding of proton leak phenomena. We have used stopped-flow fluorimetry to probe the influence of two lipid raft components, chol (cholesterol) and SM (sphingomyelin), on H+/OH- and water permeability. Increasing the concentrations of both lipids in POPC (palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine) liposomes decreased water permeability in a concentration-dependent manner, an effect that correlated with increased lipid order. Surprisingly, proton flux was increased by increasing the concentration of chol and SM. The chol effect was complex with molar concentrations of 17.9, 33 and 45.7% giving 2.8-fold (P<0.01), 2.2-fold (P<0.001) and 5.1-fold (P<0.001) increases in H+/OH- permeability from a baseline of 2.4x10(-2) cm/s. SM at 10 mole% effected a 2.8-fold increase (P<0.01), whereas 20 and 30 mole% enhanced permeability by 3.6-fold (P<0.05) and 4.1-fold respectively (P<0.05). Supplementing membranes containing chol with SM did not enhance H+/OH- permeability. Of interest was the finding that chol addition to soya-bean lipids decreased H+/OH- permeability, consistent with an earlier report [Ira and Krishnamoorthy (2001) J. Phys. Chem. B 105, 1484-1488]. We speculate that the presence of proton carriers in crude lipid extracts might contribute to this result. We conclude that (i) chol and SM specifically and independently increase rates of proton permeation in POPC bilayers, (ii) domains enriched in these lipids or domain interfaces may represent regions with high H+/OH- conductivity, (iii) H+/OH- fluxes are not governed by lipid order and (iv) chol can inhibit or promote H+/OH- permeability depending on the total lipid environment. Theories of proton permeation are discussed in the light of these results.

Molecular basis of Refsum disease: sequence variations in phytanoyl-CoA hydroxylase (PHYH) and the PTS2 receptor (PEX7)

Refsum disease has long been known to be an inherited disorder of lipid metabolism characterized by the accumulation of phytanic acid (3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic acid) caused by an alpha-oxidation deficiency of this branched chain fatty acid in peroxisomes. The mechanism of phytanic acid alpha-oxidation and the enzymes involved had long remained mysterious, but they have been resolved in recent years. This has led to the resolution of the molecular basis of Refsum disease. Interestingly, Refsum disease is genetically heterogeneous; two genes, PHYH (also named PAHX) and PEX7, have been identified to cause Refsum disease, as reviewed in this work.

Formation and characterization of planar lipid bilayer membranes from synthetic phytanyl-chained glycolipids

The formability, current-voltage characteristics and stability of the planar lipid bilayer membranes from the synthetic phytanyl-chained glycolipids, 1, 3-di-O-phytanyl-2-O-(beta-glycosyl)glycerols (Glc(Phyt)(2), Mal(N)(Phyt)(2)) were studied. The single bilayer membranes were successfully formed from the glycolipid bearing a maltotriosyl group (Mal(3)(Phyt)(2)) by the folding method among the synthetic glycolipids examined. The membrane conductance of Mal(3)(Phyt)(2) bilayers in 100 mM KCl solution was significantly lower than that of natural phospholipid, soybean phospholipids (SBPL) bilayers, and comparable to that of 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPhPC) bilayers. From the permeation measurements of lipophilic ions through Mal(3)(Phyt)(2) and DPhPC bilayers, it could be presumed that the carbonyl groups in glycerol backbone of the lipid molecule are not necessarily required for the total dipole potential barrier against cations in Mal(3)(Phyt)(2) bilayer. The stability of Mal(3)(Phyt)(2) bilayers against long-term standing and external electric field change was rather high, compared with SBPL bilayers. Furthermore, a preliminary experiment over the functional incorporation of membrane proteins was demonstrated employing the channel proteins derived from octopus retina microvilli vesicles. The channel proteins were functionally incorporated into Mal(3)(Phyt)(2) bilayers in the presence of a negatively charged glycolipid. From these observations, synthetic phytanyl-chained glycolipid bilayers are promising materials for reconstitution and transport studies of membrane proteins.

Refsum disease diagnostic marker phytanic acid alters the physical state of membrane proteins of liver mitochondria

Phytanic acid (3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic acid), a branched chain fatty acid accumulating in Refsum disease to high levels throughout the body, induces uncoupling of rat liver mitochondria similar to non-branched fatty acids (e.g. palmitic acid), but the contribution of the ADP/ATP carrier or the aspartate/glutamate carrier in phytanic acid-induced uncoupling is of minor importance. Possible deleterious effects of phytanic acid on membrane-linked energy coupling processes were studied by ESR spectroscopy using rat liver mitochondria and a membrane preparation labeled with the lipid-specific spin probe 5-doxylstearic acid (5-DSA) or the protein-specific spin probe MAL-TEMPO (4-maleimido-2,2,6, 6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl). The effects of phytanic acid on phospholipid molecular dynamics and on the physical state of membrane proteins were quantified by estimation of the order parameter or the ratio of the amplitudes of the weakly to strongly immobilized MAL-TEMPO binding sites (W/S ratio), respectively. It was found, that phytanic acid (1) increased the mobility of phospholipid molecules (indicated by a decrease in the order parameter) and (2) altered the conformational state and/or the segmental mobility of membrane proteins (indicated by a drastic decrease in the W/S ratio). Unsaturated fatty acids with multiple cis-double bonds (e.g. linolenic or arachidonic acid), but not non-branched FFA (ranging from chain length C10:0 to C18:0), also decrease the W/S ratio. It is hypothesized that the interaction of phytanic acid with transmembrane proteins might stimulate the proton permeability through the mitochondrial inner membrane according to a mechanism, different to a protein-supported fatty acid cycling.

Diffusion membrane potential in liposomes: setting by ion gradients, absolute calibration and monitoring of fast changes by spectral shifts of diS-C3(3) fluorescence maximum

A novel fluorescent technique for direct assessment of membrane potential was tested on suspensions of large unilamellar vesicles (LUV). The method is based on monitoring shifts in the fluorescence maximum, lambda(max), of the redistribution dye diS-C3(3) caused by dye binding to the LUV membrane. A theory describing the behavior of this dye in LUV suspensions was elaborated and tested. The diffusion potentials across the LUV membrane were adjusted by ion gradients in the absence of valinomycin. When using KCl and choline chloride without valinomycin the potential can be set as high as -70 mV. These potentials exhibited long-term stability and the theory allowed to determine the upper limits of membrane permeabilities for Cl-, choline cations, protons and hydroxyls relative to the K+ permeability. The absolute values of membrane potential set by ion gradients were calibrated using valinomycin. The monitoring of the lambda(max) shift permitted us to show real-time changes in membrane potential, since addition of valinomycin to the LUV was followed by an immediate depolarization. The setting of the potential and the dye re-equilibration after valinomycin addition took place within a second.

Archaebacterial lipid models: formation of stable vesicles from single isoprenoid chain-amphiphiles

Surfactants, PhyN+(Me)3 (OH-/Br-), PhyPO4H- (H+/Na+), PhySO4- (H+/Na+) and Phy(CO2-) (H+/Na+), were prepared; Phy is a (3RS,7R,11R)-3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecyl group; phytanic acid or its sodium salt is expressed by Phy(CO2-) (H+/Na+). Equimolecular mixtures of the cationic surfactant and the anionic ones in aqueous media, upon sonication, gave rise to stable suspensions of multilamellar vesicles (MLVs). Unlike the molecular assemblies from cationic and anionic pairs of straight chain-surfactants, the MLVs could trap ionic and nonionic compounds such as 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein and glucose with the captured volume of 0.6-1.6 l/mol in water. The vesicles were tolerant to about 25 mM aqueous NaCl. The packing mode of the surfactants in the membranes are discussed in conjunction with the thickness (about 60 A) and the zeta-potential which was as large as 30-45 mV in water at 20 degrees C.

Effect of fatty acids on energy coupling processes in mitochondria

Long-chain fatty acids are natural uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. The protonophoric mechanism of this action is due to transbilayer movement of undissociated fatty acid in one direction and the passage of its anion in the opposite direction. The transfer of the dissociated form of fatty acid can be, at least in some kinds of mitochondrion, facilitated by adenine nucleotide translocase. Apart from dissipating the electrochemical proton gradient, long-chain fatty acids decrease the activity of the respiratory chain by mechanism(s) not fully understood. In intact cells and tissues fatty acids operate mostly as excellent respiratory substrates, providing electrons to the respiratory chain. This function masks their potential uncoupling effect which becomes apparent only under special physiological or pathological conditions characterized by unusual fatty acid accumulation. Short- and medium-chain fatty acids do not have protonophoric properties. Nevertheless, they contribute to energy dissipation because of slow intramitochondrial hydrolysis of their activation products, acyl-AMP and acyl-CoA. Long-chain fatty acids increase permeability of mitochondrial membranes to alkali metal cations. This is due to their ionophoric mechanism of action. Regulatory function of fatty acids with respect to specific cation channels has been postulated for the plasma membrane of muscle cells, but not demonstrated in mitochondria. Under cold stress, cold acclimation and arousal from hibernation the uncoupling effect of fatty acids may contribute to increased thermogenesis, especially in the muscle tissue. In brown adipose tissue, the special thermogenic organ of mammals, long-chain fatty acids promote operation of the unique natural uncoupling protein, thermogenin. As anionic amphiphiles, long-chain fatty acids increase the negative surface charge of biomembranes, thus interfering in their enzymic and transporting functions.

Quantitative measurement of cationic fluxes, selectivity and membrane potential using liposomes multilabelled with fluorescent probes

Liposomes of egg PC/PG (8:2, mol/mol) were multilabelled with PBFI, pyranine and oxonol VI, fluorescent probes for, respectively, K+, H+ and membrane potential. Monitoring fluorescence with a multichannel photoncounting spectrofluorometer during K+ filling experiments allowed to measure K+ influx, the associated H+ efflux and the membrane potential, continuously and simultaneously. The proton net efflux quantitatively mirrored the K+ net influx. The rate of the K+/H+ exchange diminished progressively as a quasi-equilibrium was reached for both K+ and H+. In the presence of valinomycin, the measured membrane potential during the K+ filling actually corresponded to the Nernst potential calculated from the observed K+ gradient. In the absence of valinomycin, it corresponded to the Nernst potential calculated from the observed H+ gradient. In the latter case, the permeability coefficient of liposomes to K+, calculated from the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz relation, was 6.10(-13) m s-1. The selectivity sequence for alkali cations of liposomes was determined from the measured H+ efflux associated to the influx of the different cations. The selectivity sequence corresponded to the series VI of Eisenman, suggesting interaction of the cation with an anionic field of intermediate strength.

Characterization of CO2/carbonic acid mediated proton flux through phosphatidylcholine vesicles as model membranes

The apparent proton permeability coefficient for phospholipid vesicles measured in our laboratory (Norris, F. A. and Powell, G. L. (1990) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1030, 165-171) for proton flux initiated by rapidly lowering of the external pH (acid jump) was a linear function of the reciprocal internal proton concentration. This behavior was ascribed to the presence of the weak acid carriers, carbonic acid/CO2/bicarbonate. In the present work, a theoretical description, appropriate for proton transport by any weak acid carrier, has been developed which lends itself to novel graphical treatment permitting the separate estimation of the permeability coefficients for protons, hydroxide ions and bicarbonate. The proton permeability coefficient determined by this method was 1.8 x 10(-5) (S.E. 1.3 x 10(-5)) cm/s; that for hydroxide ion was 3.8 x 10(-5) (S.E. 5.6 x 10(-6)) cm/s and a lower limit for the permeability of bicarbonate ion, 4.3 x 10(-6) (S.E. 3.6 x 10(-7) cm/s, can be set. The presence of negative surface charge on the lipid bilayer increased the observed proton permeability coefficient in accordance with Gouy-Chapman theory. The charge was introduced by preparing vesicles containing increasing amounts of negatively charged dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol. The observed proton permeability coefficient increased and the observed permeability coefficients for hydroxide ion and bicarbonate decreased. The addition of the lipophilic cations, valinomycin-K+ and tetrabutylammonium ion increased the slope of P vs. 1/[Hi+]. These changes are analogous to those reported for the permeant weak acid uncouplers FCCP and CCCP. These studies demonstrated that CO2/carbonic acid was an effective carrier of protons across phospholipid model membranes.

pH-dependent lipid packing, membrane permeability and fusion in phosphatidylcholine vesicles

We have studied the rate of membrane fusion, the lipid dynamics and order and the membrane permeability of phosphatidylcholine vesicles as a function of pH. Acidification induced very different effects depending on the state of the bilayer. In liquid-crystalline bilayers, acidification decreased the rate of membrane fusion, the acyl chain motion and disorder and the rate of K+ release, whereas in solid bilayers acidification increased the rate of membrane fusion, the lipid acyl chain disorder and the rate of K+ release. These pH-dependent modifications are interpreted in terms of conformational and/or packing changes of the phosphatidylcholine head group in the membrane. In solid bilayers, these changes are not easily accommodated by the rigid structure, and the resulting stress leads to an unstable bilayer.

Monensin-mediated antiport of Na+ and H+ across liposome membrane

The mechanism of monensin-mediated transport of Na+ and H+ across large unilamellar liposome membrane was investigated. The inside negative membrane potential (delta psi) was generated by the addition of monensin to the liposomes with an outward Na+ gradient. The effects of intravesicular H+ bufferring power and medium pH on the initial rates of delta psi formation, Na+ efflux and H+ influx were examined. The results showed that (i) the initial Na+ flux (JNa) was larger than the initial H+ flux (JH) at any H+ bufferring power, (ii) the JH increased with increasing inner buffer concentration, but the effect of H+ bufferring power on the JNa was small, (iii) the initial rate of delta psi formation increased linearly with the increase in the value of (JNa-JH), and (iv) the JNa increased with increasing H+ concentration. The generation of delta psi was not due to H+ leak from the liposome, since the delta psi was generated even when H+ concentration gradient was inwardly directed. The monensin-mediated transport of Na+ and H+ in this system occurred at the ratio of Na+/H+ greater than 1.0 and the resultant net electric charge efflux is the cause of the inside negative membrane potential. Tetraphenylphosphonium retarded both the delta psi formation and the H+ influx, but did not affect the Na+ efflux, suggesting that the driving force of H+ influx is the inside negative membrane potential generated by Na+ efflux. This idea also well accounts for the observed H+ bufferring power effects on the Na+ efflux, H+ influx and delta psi formation. It was suggested that Na+ was transported in the form of 1:1 complex between protonated monensin and Na+.

The apparent permeability coefficient for proton flux through phosphatidylcholine vesicles is dependent on the direction of flux

A dioleoylphosphatidylcholine unilamellar vesicle model system was used to determine proton permeability. The fluorescence of the pH reporter group, pyranine, trapped within vesicles with a difference in pH across the bilayer, was digitized and analyzed with numerical integration. When H+ flux was initiated by the acidification of the external buffer (acid jump), the apparent H+ permeability was found to be a linear function of the reciprocal of the internal H+ concentration with the slope inversely proportional to the initial size of the H+ gradient. When flux was initiated by the alkalinization of the external buffer (base jump), the apparent permeability coefficient was constant for each external H+ concentration. However, the value of the apparent permeability was linearly dependent on the reciprocal of the external H+. The possibility that carbonates (carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, bicarbonate and carbonate) could be acting as proton carriers was tested by adding millimolar concentrations of bicarbonate to solutions greatly reduced in carbonates. The slopes of the graphs of apparent permeability coefficient vs. reciprocal H+ were linear functions of added bicarbonate concentration for both acid and base jump conditions. These observations were interpreted in terms of a model suggesting that carbonic acid or carbon dioxide together with bicarbonate was an efficient proton carrier across phospholipid bilayers.

Does the function of adenine nucleotide translocase in fatty acid uncoupling depend on the type of mitochondria?

The stimulation of respiration by long-chain fatty acids and FCCP was studied with oligomycin-inhibited mitochondria from rat liver, heart and kidney tissue. By addition of equal amounts of palmitate and oleate, mitochondrial respiration was increased in the order RLM less than RKM less than RHM. Using the classical protonophore FCCP, this difference could not be observed. Inhibition of oleate-stimulated respiration by carboxyatractyloside decreased in the order RHM greater than RKM greater than RLM. As CAT sensitivity of oleate-stimulated respiration and the mitochondrial ANT content were found to be correlated, it is suggested that the weak CAT sensitivity of oleate-stimulated respiration of RLM [(1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 977, 266-272] is due to the low content of ANT.

Salicylates and proton transport through lipid bilayer membranes: a model for salicylate-induced uncoupling and swelling in mitochondria

Mechanisms of proton transport were investigated in phospholipid bilayer membranes exposed to salicylates and benzoates. Membranes were formed from diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine in decane plus chlorodecane (50% vol/vol). Proton and anion conductances (GH and GA) were calculated from the total conductances and the H+ or A diffusion potentials produced by transmembrane H+ or A gradients. At low pH salicylate caused a GH which was proportional to the square of the total weak acid concentration, and GH was maximum when pH = pK. At neutral to alkaline pH salicylate caused a GA which was proportional to the first power of the salicylate concentration, and GA was independent of pH. Both GH and GA were inhibited by phloretin. The results suggest that salicylate acts as an HA2-type proton carrier at low pH and as a lipid-soluble anion at neutral pH. Salicylate has been implicated as a causal factor in Reye's syndrome, as well as in aspirin poisoning, and salicylate has been reported to increase the proton conductance of inner mitochondrial membranes. The present results suggest that in mitochondria salicylate increases passive proton uptake by a combination of HA influx (driven by the concentration gradient) and A efflux (driven by the voltage and concentration gradients). Model calculations suggest that over the range of therapeutic to toxic concentrations, salicylate causes net H+ influx sufficient to explain the reported "loose coupling," uncoupling and swelling of mitochondria. The relative ineffectiveness of aspirin and benzoate can be explained by their low A permeabilities, whereas the ineffectiveness of 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate can be explained by its low pK.

The ATP/ADP-antiporter is involved in the uncoupling effect of fatty acids on mitochondria

The ATP/ADP-antiporter inhibitors and the substrate ADP suppress the uncoupling effect induced by low (10-20 microM) concentrations of palmitate in mitochondria from skeletal muscle and liver. The inhibitors and ADP are found to (a) inhibit the palmitate-stimulated respiration in the controlled state and (b) increase the membrane potential lowered by palmitate. The degree of efficiency decreases in the order: carboxyatractylate (CAtr) greater than ADP greater than bongkrekic acid, atractylate. GDP is ineffective, Mg.ADP is of much smaller effect, whereas ATP is effective at much higher concentration than is ADP. Inhibitor concentrations, which maximally suppress the palmitate-stimulated respiration, correspond to those needed for arresting the state 3 respiration. The extent of the CAtr-sensitive stimulation of respiration by palmitate has been found to decrease with an increase in palmitate concentration. Stimulation of the controlled respiration by p-trifluoromethoxycarbonylcyanide phenylhydrozone (FCCP) and gramicidin D at any concentrations of these uncouplers is CAtr-insensitive, whereas that caused by a low concentrations of 2,4-dinitrophenol and dodecyl sulfate is inhibited by CAtr. The above effect of palmitate develops immediately after addition of the fatty acid. It is resistant to EGTA as well as to inhibitors of phospholipase (nupercain) and of lipid peroxidation (ionol). Moreover, palmitate accelerates spontaneous release of the respiratory control, developing in rat liver mitochondria under certain conditions. This effect takes several minutes, being sensitive to EGTA, nupercain and ionol. Like the fast uncoupling, this slow effect is inhibited by ADP but CAtr and atractylate are stimulatory rather than inhibitory. In artificial planar phospholipid membrane, palmitate does not increase the membrane conductance, FCCP increases it strongly and dinitrophenol only slightly. In cytochrome oxidase proteoliposomes, FCCP, gramicidin and dinitrophenol (less effectively) lower, whereas palmitate enhances the cytochrome-oxidase-generated membrane potential. In this system, monensin substitutes for palmitate. It is concluded that the ATP/ADP antiporter is somehow involved in the uncoupling effect caused by low concentrations of palmitate and, partially, of dinitrophenol, whereas uncoupling produced by FCCP and gramicidin is due to their action on the phospholipid part of the mitochondrial membrane. A possible mechanism of this effect is discussed.

Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance study of the interaction of branched chain compounds (phytanic acid, phytol) with a phospholipid model membrane

Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance (2H-NMR) spectra have been determined for 50 wt% aqueous dispersions of 1-palmitoyl(stearoyl)-2-[2H31]palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocho lin e (PC-d31) containing 20 mol% of the isoprenoid compounds phytol or phytanic acid over the temperature range -5-55 degrees C. Concentration effects of the isoprenoid compounds are also reported. First moments (M1) and order parameters were calculated from the spectra. 20 Mol% of either branched chain compound causes an approximate 9% increase in the mean order parameter SCD. Significant effects are seen on the PC-d31 phase behavior. 20 Mol% of either branched chain compound causes the gel to liquid crystalline onset temperature (Ts) to drop to 28 degrees C from 38 degrees C for PC-d31 alone, as seen from the temperature dependent M1 values. The melting range ([Tl--Ts]) is congruent to 1.5 degrees C for PC-d31 and congruent to 11 degrees C for PC-d31 containing 20 mol% of the branched chain compounds. This is in direct contrast to their straight chain analogues, hexadecanol and palmitic acid, which have been shown to elevate the phase transition temperature. The isoprenoid compounds cause significant disruption of the gel phase, forcing nearest neighbor phospholipid chains apart. Transverse relaxation times (T2e, the time constant for decay of the quandrupolar echo) have been determined over the temperature range -5-50 degrees C. Possible explanation for the effect of the isoprenoid compounds on the dynamic structure of phospholipids in the bilayer are proffered.

Proton conductance caused by long-chain fatty acids in phospholipid bilayer membranes

Mechanisms of proton conductance (GH) were investigated in phospholipid bilayer membranes containing long-chain fatty acids (lauric, myristic, palmitic, oleic or phytanic). Membranes were formed from diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine in decane plus chlorodecane (usually 30% vol/vol). Fatty acids were added either to the aqueous phase or to the membrane-forming solution. Proton conductance was calculated from the steady-state total conductance and the H+ diffusion potential produced by a transmembrane pH gradient. Fatty acids caused GH to increase in proportion to the first power of the fatty acid concentration. The GH induced by fatty acids was inhibited by phloretin, low pH and serum albumin. GH was increased by chlorodecane, and the voltage dependence of GH was superlinear. The results suggest that fatty acids act as simple (A- type) proton carriers. The membrane: water partition coefficient (Kp) and adsorption coefficient (beta) were estimated by finding the membrane and aqueous fatty acid concentrations which gave identical values of GH. For palmitic and oleic acids Kp was about 10(5) and beta was about 10(-2) cm. The A- translocation or "flip-flop" rate (ka) was estimated from the value of GH and the fatty acid concentration in the membrane, assuming that A- translocation was the rate limiting step in H+ transport. The kA's were about 10(-4) sec-1, slower than classical weak-acid uncouplers by a factor of 10(5). Although long-chain fatty acids are relatively inefficient H+ carriers, they may cause significant biological H- conductance when present in the membrane at high concentrations, e.g., in ischemia, hypoxia, hormonally induced lipolysis, or certain hereditary disorders, e.g., Refsum's (phytanic acid storage) disease.

Phospholipase activation, free fatty acids and the proton permeability of a biological membrane

The rate of collapse of a proton gradient across the apical membrane of rat kidney proximal tubule increases upon treatment with calcium, mercuric chloride and mellitin, substances which activate phospholipase A2. Treatment with phospholipase A2 or oleic acid also enhances the rate of proton gradient dissipation. Membrane water permeability is not affected. This phenomenon may have implications in pathological states arising from ischemia or toxic exposure.

Ionization and phase behavior of fatty acids in water: application of the Gibbs phase rule

The phase behavior of several medium-chain (10- and 12-carbon) and long-chain (18-carbon) fatty acids in water was examined as a function of the ionization state of the carboxyl group. Equilibrium titration curves were generated above and below fatty acid and acid-soap chain melting temperatures and critical micelle concentrations, and the phases formed were characterized by X-ray diffraction, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and phase-contrast and polarized light microscopy. The resulting titration curves were divided into five regions: (i) at pH values less than 7, a two-phase region containing oil or fatty acid crystals and an aqueous phase; (ii) at pH approximately 7, a three-phase region containing oil, lamellar, and aqueous (or fatty acid crystals, 1:1 acid-soap crystals, and aqueous) phases; (iii) between pH 7 and 9, a two-phase region containing a lamellar fatty acid/soap (or crystalline 1:1 acid-soap) phase in an aqueous phase; (iv) at pH approximately 9, a three-phase region containing lamellar fatty acid-soap (or crystalline 1:1 acid-soap), micellar, and aqueous phases; and (v) at pH values greater than 9, a two-phase region containing micellar and aqueous phases. Interpretation of the results using the Gibbs phase rule indicated that, for oleic acid/potassium oleate, the composition of the lamellar fatty acid/soap phase varied from approximately 1:1 to 1:3 un-ionized to ionized fatty acid species. In addition, constant pH regions observed in titration curves were a result of thermodynamic invariance (zero degrees of freedom) rather than buffering capacity. The results provide insights into the physical states of fatty acids in biological systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Proton conductance through phospholipid bilayers: water wires or weak acids?

The proton/hydroxide (H+/OH-) permeability of phospholipid bilayer membranes at neutral pH is at least five orders of magnitude higher than the alkali or halide ion permeability, but the mechanism(s) of H+/OH- transport are unknown. This review describes the characteristics of H+/OH- permeability and conductance through several types of planar phospholipid bilayer membranes. At pH 7, the H+/OH- conductances (GH/OH) range from 2-6 nS cm-2, corresponding to net H+/OH- permeabilities of (0.4-1.7) X 10(-5) cm sec-1. Inhibitors of GH/OH include serum albumin, phloretin, glycerol, and low pH. Enhancers of GH/OH include chlorodecane, fatty acids, gramicidin, and voltages greater than 80 mV. Water permeability and GH/OH are not correlated. The characteristics of GH/OH in fatty acid (weak acid) containing membranes are qualitatively similar to the controls in at least eight different respects. The characteristics of GH/OH in gramicidin (water wire) containing membranes are qualitatively different from the controls in at least four different respects. Thus, the simplest explanation for the data is that GH/OH in unmodified bilayers is due primarily to weakly acidic contaminants which act as proton carriers at physiological pH. However, at low pH or in the presence of inhibitors, a residual GH/OH remains which may be due to water wires, "hydrated defects," or other mechanisms.

Characterization of H+/OH- currents in phospholipid vesicles

In pure phospholipid vesicles, the conductivity of H+/OH- ions exceeds that for other simple inorganic ions. Protons achieve electrochemical equilibrium across egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles within tens of minutes. When pH gradients are established across vesicles, transmembrane potentials develop. Conversely, the establishment of transmembrane potentials leads to the formation of pH gradients. When the phenomenological permeability of H+/OH- ions in vesicles is estimated, values are obtained that are much greater (six orders of magnitude larger) than those for Na+ or K+. A wide range in the values for this permeability has been reported; however, much of the discrepancy can be attributed to differences in the vesicle systems and experimental conditions. The H+/OH- current appears to be modulated by changes in membrane dielectric constant. However, the dependence of this current on the pH gradient and on the membrane voltage argues against simple diffusion mechanisms as the source of the H+/OH- current. In addition, in vesicle systems the H+/OH- current shows a surprising invariance to changes in the membrane dipole potential, an observation that argues against the role of simple carriers for H+ and OH- ions.

Proton/hydroxide conductance and permeability through phospholipid bilayer membranes

Proton/hydroxide (H+/OH-) permeability of phospholipid bilayers is several orders of magnitude higher than alkali or halide ion permeabilities at pH 7. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism(s) of H+/OH- conductance and permeability through planar phospholipid bilayer membranes. Membranes were formed from decane solutions of bacterial phosphatidylethanolamine, diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine, or egg phosphatidylcholine plus cholesterol. At pH 7, H+/OH- conductance (GH/OH) ranged from 2 to 6 nS.cm-2, corresponding to H+/OH- "net" permeabilities of (0.4-1.6) X 10(-5) cm.sec-1. GH/OH was inhibited by serum albumin (fatty acid-free), phloretin, and low pH. GH/OH was increased by chlorodecane, long-chain fatty acids, and voltages greater than 80 mV. Water permeability and GH/OH were not correlated. The results suggest that the H+/OH- charge carrier (i) is primarily anionic, (ii) crosses the membrane via nonpolar pathway(s), and (iii) can be removed from the membrane by "washing" with serum albumin. The simplest explanation is that the phospholipids contain weakly acidic contaminants that act as proton carriers at neutral pH. However, at low pH or in the presence of inhibitors, a "background" GH/OH remains that may be due to other mechanisms.