Unusual low proton permeability of liposomes prepared from the endogenous myelin lipids

In contrast with most other lipid substrates, in this article we show that liposomes prepared from the total myelin lipids exhibited a negligible proton permeability. Neither the generation of valinomycin-induced potassium diffusion potentials as high as -177 mV nor the imposition of large pH gradients (up to three units) was able to produce a substantial flux of protons through liposomal membranes, as determined by the distribution of [14C]-methylamine, or the changes in the fluorescence of the probes 9-aminoacridine, acridine orange, and pyranine. The presence of cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+) did not alter this behavior. Voltage clamping did not increase the transmembrane delta pH-driven proton permeability. However, liposome diameter was found to be critical because small unilamellar vesicles displayed a much higher proton permeability than large unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles. This abnormally low proton permeability is interpreted by virtue of the characteristic biochemical composition of myelin lipid matrix, with a high content of cholesterol and sphingolipids and a very low level of free fatty acids. These results could be important for elucidating the role of myelin in the regulation of pH in the brain. In addition, the myelin lipid extract could be useful for reconstituting proteins that participate in the transport of H+ through the membrane.