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Membrane solubilization by a hydrophobic polyelectrolyte: surface activity and membrane binding

J L Thomas1, S W Barton, D A Tirrell

  • 1Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003.

Biophysical Journal
|September 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

The synthetic polymer poly(2-ethylacrylic acid) solubilizes lipid membranes via a pH-dependent, hydrophobically driven micellization process. Amphiphilicity, not secondary structure, drives this membrane interaction.

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Area of Science:

  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Biophysical Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Hydrophobic polyelectrolytes can interact with and modify lipid membranes.
  • Previous work demonstrated pH-dependent solubilization of lipid membranes by poly(2-ethylacrylic acid).
  • This interaction was previously utilized to create responsive lipid vesicles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the physical basis of the interaction between poly(2-ethylacrylic acid) and lipid membranes.
  • To understand the mechanisms underlying pH-dependent membrane solubilization.
  • To correlate polymer concentration, surface activity, and membrane binding with solubilization.

Main Methods:

  • Surface tensiometry to measure surface activity and membrane binding.
  • Fluorimetry to probe molecular interactions.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Varying polymer concentrations to observe effects on membrane interaction.

    • Main Results:

    • Polymer concentration influences surface activity and membrane binding.
    • Changes in polymer concentration correlate with shifts in the critical pH for solubilization.
    • Binding affinity decreases with increasing amounts of bound polymer.

    Conclusions:

    • The interaction is driven by a hydrophobically driven micellization process, analogous to polypeptides.
    • Amphiphilicity of the polymer is the key factor in membrane micellization.
    • Specific secondary structure is not required for macromolecular membrane micellization.