N-acylethanolamines as membrane topological stress compromising agents

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1993 Jun 5;1148(2):351-5. doi: 10.1016/0005-2736(93)90149-t.

Abstract

The effect of different N-acylethanolamines on the phase behaviour of fully hydrated egg phosphatidylethanolamines is reported. In particular, in the presence of N-acylethanolamines, the transition from the liquid-crystalline lamellar (L alpha) to the inverse hexagonal (HII) phase is observed at higher temperature with respect to the temperature transition of pure phosphatidylethanolamine. Moreover, in correspondence of this transition, an intermediate Q224 (space group Pn3m) cubic phase has been detected. Since the structure of this cubic phase presents unique topological analogies with the lipid bilayer organization, these data suggest the possible role of N-acylethanolamines in stabilizing the biological membranes by avoiding a sudden change to a non-bilayer phase in those tissues which undergo stress conditions.

MeSH terms

  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects*
  • Ethanolamines / pharmacology*
  • Fluorescence
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines / chemistry*
  • Temperature
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Ethanolamines
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • N-acylethanolamines
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines