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Membrane fluidity changes in P. berghei-infected erythrocytes, investigated with a specific plasma membrane
Abstract:
Trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene (TMA-DPH), a novel hydrophobic fluorescent probe with relevant photophysical properties for fluorescence anisotropy measurements in phospholipidic membranes, specifically labels the plasma membranes of whole living-cells, unlike earlier commonly used probes such as 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) and anthroyloxy fatty acids, which invade all hydrophobic regions of the cell. Using TMA-DPH, it was shown that mouse malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei induced a statistically highly significant increase (8%) in the plasma membrane fluidity of the host erythrocyte. The physical factors, which might critically influence the measurements in this study, i.e. the fluorescence lifetime of the probe and the contribution of scattered light, were carefully controlled. The effect observed is discussed on the basis of earlier established metabolic changes in the membrane following infection, namely phospholipidic and cytoskeleton modifications.
Insights
The novel fluorescent probe TMA-DPH revealed that malaria parasites significantly increase erythrocyte plasma membrane fluidity. This finding, observed in host cells infected with Plasmodium berghei, offers insights into parasite-induced membrane alterations.
Area of Science:
- Membrane Biophysics
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Conventional fluorescent probes like DPH and anthroyloxy fatty acids non-specifically label cellular hydrophobic regions.
- Trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene (TMA-DPH) is a novel hydrophobic fluorescent probe designed for specific plasma membrane labeling in living cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Plasmodium berghei infection on the fluidity of host erythrocyte plasma membranes.
- To utilize the specific plasma membrane labeling properties of TMA-DPH for accurate fluidity measurements.
Main Methods:
- Utilized TMA-DPH, a fluorescent probe with favorable photophysical properties for fluorescence anisotropy measurements.
- Applied TMA-DPH to label plasma membranes of whole living cells, specifically erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium berghei.
- Controlled critical physical factors including probe fluorescence lifetime and scattered light contribution.
Main Results:
- Plasmodium berghei infection induced a statistically significant 8% increase in host erythrocyte plasma membrane fluidity.
- TMA-DPH demonstrated specific labeling of the plasma membrane, unlike other probes.
Conclusions:
- Malaria parasite infection alters host erythrocyte plasma membrane biophysical properties, specifically increasing fluidity.
- The observed increase in membrane fluidity is discussed in relation to known metabolic and structural changes, including phospholipidic and cytoskeleton modifications, following infection.