[Intermembrane exchange of lipids induced by cobra venom cytotoxins]

Interaction between cytotoxin Vc5 from cobra venom and model membranes from phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidyl acid was investigated by means of 1H-NMR, ESR spin probes and microcalorimetric methods. Cytotoxic was shown to induce in the membrane formation of non-bilayer structures, to increase the membrane permeability and to produce the intermembrane exchange with lipids.