Membrane Alterations Following Toxic Chemical Insult
Abstract
A procaryotic cell system has been developed that can be used to determine the toxic action of chemicals acting at the level of the eucaryotic or procaryotic cytoplasmic membrane. Cell wall-less microbes known as mycoplasmas are used. In this current study, two perfluorinated fatty acids (c8 and c10) were found to inhibit the growth of the test mycoplasmas. Two apparent activities were observed. At high concentrations (> 10 mM) a detergent-like action was noted. At low concentrations (< 10 mM) cell death was observed without detectable cell lysis. Altering the cell membrane (the presumed target of the toxic compounds) resulted in altered levels of toxicity. The nature of the toxic action of the perfluorinated fatty acids is currently being investigated using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography and microbiological procedures (such as selecting toxin resistant mutants). Keywords: Mycoplasmas; Fluorocarbons; Toxic Chemicals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 05, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA168883
Entities
People
- Alan Liss
Organizations
- Binghamton University