Membrane labelling by fluorescent probes: Incorporation of TMA-DPH in erythrocyte membranes

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Maire, Catherine^{a; b} | Bouchy, Michel^a | Donner, Mireille^b | André, Jean-Claude^b

Affiliations: [a] LA 328 du CNRS, ENSIC 1 rue Grandville, BP 451,54001 Nancy, Cédex, France | [b] INSERM U 284, Plateau de Brabois, 54511-Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, Cédex, France

Abstract: A study of the labelling of isolated resealed erythrocyte membranes by TMA-DPH has been carried out. A quantitative study shows that saturation appears to take place when increasing the relative quantity of probe bulk concentration to membrane concentration; this is readily interpreted by a simple incorporation model with a limited number of sites in the membrane. A qualitative study shows that an increase in the labelling leads to an evolution of the probe fluorescence properties; the existence of different types of sites is involved in the interpretation but the system is too complex to allow it to be represented by a simple model. As a consequence of this study, care has to be taken in labelling biological material so as to avoid excessive probe incorporation.

Keywords: Molecular probe, TMA-DPH, fluorescence anistrophy, erythrocyte membrane

DOI: 10.3233/BIR-1992-295-611

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 29, no. 5-6, pp. 507-519, 1992