Molecular packing in steroid-lecithin monolayers. IV. Mixed films of epicoprostanol with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine.

Studies of the two-component monomolecular film system, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) - epicoprostanol have been carried out at 21 degrees C utilizing a wide compositional range of films. The results obtained indicate that on initial mixing of the two components, epicoprostanol condensed expanded DPPC films to a greatly reduced degree and expanded condensed DPPC films to a significantly greater degree compared with cholesterol. It is thought that, even on an initial compressional procedure, partial microscopic segregation of epicoprostanol takes place.

Model membrane studies of spin-label probes. Part 1. Mixed monolayers of 12-nitroxide stearic acid and myristic acid.

Pure and mixed monomolecular films of a cell membrane spin label probe, 12-nitroxide stearic acid have been studied where myristic acid was selected as the host lipid. The behavior of 12-nitroxide stearic acid at the air water interface is understood in terms of two molecular configurations: erect (with only the carboxyl group in the interface) and bent (with both the carboxyl group and the oxazolidine ring in the interface). In mixed films both of these conformations play a role at high surface pressures.

A comparison of a spin-label and a fluorescent cell membrane probe using pure and mixed monomolecular films.

Monocular films studies of 12-nitroxide stearic acid and 12-(9-anthroyl) stearic acid reveal that deviations from the behavior of the parent molecule (stearic acid) are as much dictated by the polar, or nonpolar, nature of the probe group as by its size. In mixed films under membrane-like conditions, the spin label probe, 12-nitroxide stearic acid, exhibits positive deviations from ideality and should read too high a fluidity. The picture is, however, complicated by a tendency of this probe molecule to adopt a bent conformation, a tendency apparently enhanced by specific interactions with the lecithin zwitterion.