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Effect of fenvalerate, a pyrethroid insecticide on membrane fluidity
S N Sarkar1, S V Balasubramanian, S K Sikdar
1Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|April 8, 1993
Summary
Fenvalerate, a pyrethroid insecticide, increases cell membrane fluidity by altering lipid packing. This study reveals its interaction with biological membranes and model systems, impacting membrane properties.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Membrane Biophysics
Background:
- Fenvalerate is a widely used pyrethroid insecticide.
- Insecticides can interact with biological membranes, affecting their function.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for assessing toxicity and environmental impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction of fenvalerate with biological and model membranes.
- To determine how fenvalerate affects membrane fluidity and structure.
- To elucidate the localization and mechanism of fenvalerate within lipid bilayers.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence polarization using diphenylhexatriene (DPH) probe.
- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) on dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes.
- Analysis of synaptosomal and microsomal membranes.
Main Results:
- Fenvalerate decreased DPH fluorescence polarization, indicating increased membrane fluidity.
- It lowered the phase transition temperature (Tm) of DPPC liposomes.
- Fenvalerate was localized in the acyl chain region (C10-C16), weakening lipid packing.
Conclusions:
- Fenvalerate fluidizes both biological and model membranes.
- The insecticide's interaction weakens acyl chain packing, particularly in the C10-C16 region.
- Fenvalerate also fluidizes liposomes containing cholesterol.