Estimation of membrane surface potential and charge density from the phase equilibrium of a paramagnetic amphiphile

The distribution of a paramagnetic amphiphile, N,N-dimethyl-N-nonyl-N-tempoylammonium ion, between the membranes of charged phospholipid vesicles and the surrounding aqueous medium was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. By systematically varying the surface charge of the vesicles and the aqueous electrolyte concentration, the distribution was shown to indicate vesicle surface potential. At each fixed phospholipid composition, the surface potential exhibited a dependence on aqueous NaCl concentration very similar to that predicted by the Gouy equation. The ability to sense and quantitate surface potentials makes this facile and sensitive technique of value in the study of cell and organelle surfaces.