Interactions of polyamines with membranes: Cytosolic ph changes ca2+ movements, microviscosity and conformational aspects

The presence of polyamines during cellular events such as growth, differentiation and division is well established but the precise roles of these polycations remain to be elucidated. No precise studies have been tried to explain possible interactions of these peculiar molecules with biomembranes. However two recent works (koenig et al. 1983; Schuber et al. 1983) support the idea that these polycations may serve as messengers, may regulate calcium fluxes and may modulate membrane fusion. In order to obtain informations on the interaction of polyamines, namely putrescine, spermidine and spermine with membranes, we have studied their effect on cytosolic pH changes in B cells, Ca2+ movements and membrane microviscosity. We have also studied their conformations alone or in interaction with model membranes by conformational analysis (Brasseur et al. 1983). © 1984 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.SCOPUS: ar.j