Electrostatic assay of phospholipase A activity: an application of the second harmonic method of monitoring membrane boundary potentials

J Biochem Biophys Methods. 1990 Nov-Dec;21(4):277-84. doi: 10.1016/0165-022x(90)90002-t.

Abstract

To evaluate phospholipase A activity a new assay is suggested. This assay is based on the recording of boundary potential changes of the planar bilayer lipid membrane during enzymatic hydrolysis of lipids. To register these changes, a second harmonic method is used. Sensitivity of the assay is about 0.0002 units/ml regardless of the impurities that may be present in the samples. One analysis takes about 5 min.

MeSH terms

  • Electricity
  • Lipid Bilayers / metabolism
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Phospholipases A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Phospholipases A