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In Vitro Permeation of FITC-loaded Ferritins Across a Rat Blood-brain Barrier: a Model to Study the Delivery of Nanoformulated Molecules
Published on: August 22, 2016
Ionophoretic properties of ferutinin
M V Zamaraeva1, A I Hagelgans, A Y Abramov
1Department of Biophysics, Tashkent State University, Uzbekistan. root@ibc.tashkent.su
Cell Calcium
|March 3, 1998
Summary
The natural compound ferutinin increases calcium ion (Ca2+) permeability across various biological and artificial membranes. This terpenoid establishes a transmembrane potential and forms a complex with Ca2+ ions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Membrane Biophysics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ferutinin is a natural terpenoid isolated from Ferula tenuisecta.
- Understanding the effects of natural compounds on membrane transport is crucial for drug discovery and biological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of ferutinin on ion permeability in biological and artificial membranes.
- To elucidate the mechanism of ferutinin's action on calcium ion (Ca2+) transport.
Main Methods:
- Investigated ion permeability in thymocytes, mitochondria, sarcoplasmic reticulum, liposomes, and bilayer lipid membranes (BLM).
- Measured Ca2+ permeability changes induced by ferutinin.
- Determined transmembrane potential and ion permeability ratios (Na+/Ca2+).
- Analyzed the dependence of BLM conductivity on ferutinin concentration and determined complex stoichiometry.
Main Results:
- Ferutinin (1-50 microM) significantly increased Ca2+ permeability across all tested membranes.
- Ferutinin established a transmembrane potential in BLM equal to the Nernst potential.
- The Na+/Ca2+ permeability ratio was 0.41, indicating selective Ca2+ transport.
- BLM conductivity showed a linear dependence on ferutinin concentration.
- The stoichiometry of the ferutinin:Ca2+ complex was determined to be 2:1.
Conclusions:
- Ferutinin acts as a potent ionophore, enhancing Ca2+ permeability across diverse membranes.
- The compound's ability to establish a transmembrane potential and its selective Ca2+ transport properties are significant.
- Ferutinin's interaction with Ca2+ involves a 2:1 complex, suggesting a specific binding mechanism relevant for potential therapeutic applications.
