Interaction of spermine with dimyristoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidyl-DL-glycerol multilamellar liposomes

Polycationic spermine interacts with the negative phosphate group of dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol multilamellar liposomes, forming a positively charged shell around the vesicle surface. An association constant of (2.15+/-0.45) x 10(3) M(-1) between spermine and the phospholipid groups in liposomes has been evaluated by a new and rapid enzymatic method. ESR spectra show that the effects of this polycation on liposomes are substantially different from those of cations like Ca2+ and Mg2+ and confirm the ability of spermine to induce liposome aggregation and not fusion.