Lasalocid and biomimetic membranes: insertion in Langmuir films of lipids

The interfacial properties at the water surface of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) in monomolecular films containing various concentrations of lasalocid sodium salt (LAS) have been studied in the range from r = 0.005 to 0.1 (r = molar ratio LAS:DPPC). The data from which the results have been expressed were obtained from the following compression isotherms at constant temperature (22 degrees C): of mixed films, of pure DPPC and of pure LAS. The incorporation of LAS resulted in pressure and concentration dependent molecular area increase, between 0 and 16 mN m-1. The observed effect has been expressed as the area SA* occupied by each antibiotic molecule in the mixed films. The variations of SA* have been discussed at two levels of constant surface pressure, at 8 mN m-1 which is situated in the phase transition region of the DPPC isotherm and at 4 mN m-1 in the liquid expanded state. In both cases, the SA* values decreased as r increased. They have been related to the molar areas SA of LAS, obtained from the compression isotherm of the pure antibiotic and expressed as SA*/SA. This ratio was considerably greater than unity in the phase transition region within the studied concentration range and close to unity in the liquid expanded state. Using the method of Goodrich, the excess free energy of mixing GXS has been calculated. The values were positive above r = 0.01 and they increased with increasing concentrations. The results indicate non miscibility and strong repulsion between the two kinds of molecules in the mixed films. Two different mechanisms of insertion have been suggested.