Glycoalkaloids selectively permeabilize cholesterol containing biomembranes.

E.A.J. Keukens, T. de Vrije, L.A.M. Jansen, H. de Boer, M. Janssen, A.I.P.M. de Kroon, W.M.F. Jongen, B. de Kruijff

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    87 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The effects of the glycoalkaloids α-solanine, α-chaconine and α-tomatine on different cell types were studied in order to investigate the membrane action of these compounds. Hemolysis of erythrocytes was compared to 6-carboxyfluorescein leakage from both ghosts and erythrocyte lipid vesicles, whereas leakage of enzymes from mitochondria and the apical and baso-lateral side of Caco-2 cells was determined. Furthermore, the effects of glycoalkaloids on the gap-junctional communication between Caco-2 cells was studied. From these experiments, it was found that glycoalkaloids specifically induced membrane disruptive effects of cholesterol containing membranes as was previously reported in model membrane studies. In addition, α-chaconine was found to selectively decrease gap-junctional intercellular communication. Furthermore, the glycoalkaloids were more potent in permeabilizing the outer membrane of mitochondria compared to digitonin at the low concentrations used.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)243-250
    JournalBiochimica et biophysica acta-protein structure and molecular enzymology
    Volume1279
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1996

    Keywords

    • Caco-2
    • Cholesterol
    • Erythrocyte
    • Glycoalkaloid
    • Membrane disruption
    • Mitochondrion
    • Permeabilization

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