Interaction between lanthanum and lipid moieties of biological membranes

The binding of colloidal lanthanum to isolated biological membranes and lipid vesicles was studied by optical and X-ray spectroscopy, and by electron microscopy. Excellent correlation was observed using these techniques. The increase in turbidity and electron density appeared to be directly proportional to the extent of negative charge in the system. X-ray microanalysis confirmed the presence of lanthanum on the lipid vesicles. Among the negatively charged phospholipids, phosphatidylinositol showed the greatest affinity for lanthanum.