Endovesicle formation and membrane perturbation induced by polyoxyethyleneglycolalkylethers in human erythrocytes

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2004 Oct 11;1665(1-2):191-200. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2004.08.010.

Abstract

Polyoxyethyleneglycolalkylether (CmEn, m=12, n=8) can induce a large torocyte-like endovesicle in human erythrocytes. The present study aimed to examine how variations in the molecular structure of CmEn (m=10,12,14,16,18; n=1-10,23) affect the occurrence of torocyte endovesicles. Our results show that torocytes occur most frequently when m=12,14 and n=8,9. At this molecular configuration the detergents induce inward membrane bending (stomatocytic S1-S2 shapes) resulting in the formation of a large membrane invagination. These detergents have a strong membrane perturbing, i.e., haemolytic, effect. Theoretical calculations indicate that a torocyte-shaped inside-out membrane vesicle can be created from a large membrane invagination due to the impact of laterally mobile anisotropic membrane inclusions. Such inclusions may be detergent-membrane component complexes or unanchored integral membrane proteins. It is shown that a nonhomogeneous lateral distribution of anisotropic membrane inclusions may stabilise the torocyte endovesicle shape, characterised by having opposite membranes in the thin central region of the vesicles separated by a certain distance. Tubular, conical or inverted conical isotropic inclusions cannot do so.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Detergents / pharmacology
  • Endosomes / drug effects*
  • Erythrocyte Membrane / drug effects*
  • Erythrocytes / cytology
  • Erythrocytes / drug effects
  • Erythrocytes / ultrastructure*
  • Ethers* / pharmacology
  • Hemolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Phosphatidylserines
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology

Substances

  • Detergents
  • Ethers
  • Phosphatidylserines
  • Polyethylene Glycols