Effects of membrane fluidity changes on lectin binding in Tetrahymena pyriformis
Köhidai, L.; Kovács, P.; Nozawa, Y.; Csaba, G.
Cellular and Molecular Biology 32(3): 303-308
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-5680 PMID: 3091247 Document Number: 274548
The supposed interrelationship between membrane fluidity and membrane saccharide composition was studied in model experiments on Tetrahymena pyriformis cells. Membrane fluidity changes were induced by different environmental (culturing) temperatures, and by the membrane perturbing agent ergosterol. The modifications of the membrane saccharide organization position and their interrelationships with membrane fluidity were assessed from changes in the binding capacity for seven lectins of different ligand specificity. The membrane fluidizing effect of long-term or short-term cold exposure was associated with an increase in the membrane glucose, mannose (plus derivatives) and N-acetyl-galactosamine organization, whereas heat exposure enhanced membrane rigidity by an opposite effect on the same saccharide components. The effect of ergosterol, although it depended greatly on the interaction of other factors acting on membrane fluidity, was similar to that of warm culturing conditions or heat shock, yet ergosterol-induced membrane rigidity was due primarily to a N-acetyl-glucosamine organization increase.