[Free iron in intracellular membrane structures]

Possibility of long-term existence of closed model membrane structures loaded with low molecular compounds of bivalent ferrum was shown. Liposomes prepared from phospholipids of egg yolk were used as a model. There were found similar effects of heating and detergents on the formation of nitrosyl complexes of non-heme iron (complexes 2.03) in the model system--liposomes loaded with ferrum on the one hand and mitochondria, hepatocytes and liver on the other. Heating and detergents intensify the formation of complexes 2.03, which is conditioned by iron liberation from the liposomes and closed intracellular membrane structures as a result of their destruction. A conclusion is drawn that free iron in animal liver cells is localized in the close membrane structures.