Membrane fluidity is a critical parameter of cellular membranes which cells continuously strive to maintain within a viable range. An interference with the correct membrane fluidity state can strongly inhibit cell function. Triggered changes in membrane fluidity have been postulated to contribute to the mechanism of action of membrane targeting antimicrobials, but the corresponding analyses have been hampered by the absence of readily available analytical tools. Here, we provide detailed protocols that allow straightforward measurement of antibiotic compound-triggered changes in membrane fluidity both in vivo and in vitro.
Keywords: Fatty acid disorder; Laurdan; Lipid adaptation; Lipid domains; Lipid packing; Membrane fluidity; Membrane targeting antimicrobials; Membrane viscosity.