The effect of Zn ions on erythrocyte hemolysis induced by melittin
Rudenko, S.V.; Nipot, E.E.; Pavliuk, O.M.
Biokhimiia 60(5): 723-733
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0320-9725 PMID: 7662799 Document Number: 444980
Divalent cations -Ca-2+ and Zn-2+ - were shown to produce inhibition of melittin-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes in the hemolysis phase, the degree of blocking increasing with a rise in the cation concentration. Besides, Zn-2+ ions altered, in a concentration-dependent manner, the initial stages of interaction between melittin and red cell membranes, resulting in a slowdown of the melittin insertion and hemolysis rate. A comparison of dependencies between the hemolysis rate and melittin and cells concentrations in the medium as well as the regularities of the blocking activity of cations under various conditions with the corresponding data concerning melittin-induced lysis of lipid vesicles indicates that melittin-induced hemolysis and lysis of lipid vesicles have little in common, thus being suggestive of an insignificant role of melittin-lipid interactions int he mechanism of cell hemolysis. The data obtained provide evidence that the erythrocyte membrane contains an intrinsic blocking mechanism whose efficacy can be synergistically enhanced b Zn-2+ ions protecting the cells against the lytic effect of melittin.