The impenetrability of 5- (N-hexadecanoyl) aminofluoroscein through endothelial cell monolayers is dependent upon its solution properties, not the presence of tight junctions
Stolz, D.B.; Mahoney, M.G.; Jacobson, B.S.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 184(1): 160-166
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0006-291X PMID: 1567423 Document Number: 401199
The solution properties of two fluorescent lipophilic analogues were examined in conjunction with their ability to penetrate the tight junctions of bovine aortic endothelial cell monolayers. 5-(N-dodecanoyl) aminofluoroscein was shown to label both the apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains of confluent monolayers at 4.degree. C and pH 7.3, but 5-(N-hexadecanoyl) aminofluoroscein was shown to label only the apical membrane domain. When used under more soluble conditions at 20.degree. C and pH 8.5, both probes labeled apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains more equally. This indicates that solubility conditions, and not tight junctions, dictate the penetration of 5-(N-hexadecanoyl) aminofluoroscein from the apical to the basolateral plasma membrane domain.