A spin label ESR and saturation transfer ESR study of α-tocopherol containing model membranes

✍ Scribed by F. Severcan; S. Cannistraro

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1990
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 606 KB
• Volume: 53
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0009-3084
• DOI: 10.1016/0009-3084(90)90129-f

✦ Synopsis

An investigation into the effect of alpha-tocopherol on phospholipid model membranes has been carried out by electron spin resonance (ESR) and saturation transfer ESR. The use of stearic acid and of perdeutero -di-t-butyl nitroxide spin probes has allowed us to monitor, in particular, the effect of alpha-tocopherol on both the phospholipid chain order and the phospholipid chain mobility. The results obtained are mainly consistent with a differing action of alpha-tocopherol in the gel and in the liquid crystalline phases: in the former it induces a decrease of order and an increase in fluidity; while in the latter phase an indication of a slight increase in ordering and a clear decrease in fluidity are registered.