Early Phase Interactions of Toluene with Membranes: A Structural and Functional Evaluation.
Abstract
The principal objective of the research conducted was to define the subcellular site(s) or targets(s) of action of the aromatic hydrocarbon toluene. Confirmed target sites were then to be investigated in detail to elucidate possible mechanisms of toluene action in perturbating membrane structure that might be related ro either an enhancement or loss of membrane function. The most sensitive cell component to toluene was the plasma membrane where a morphological response at and a response in terms of enzymatic activity was observed at 225 ppm both with treatment times o 5 min or less. Thus the plasma membrane is indicated as one important target for toluene intoxication. A second target identified was that of the transition region between endoplasmic reticulum nad Golgi apparatus where transfer of material appears to be rapidly blocked by 100 ppm toluene or lower both in situ and in a cell free system newly developed to study this phenomenon. Subtle changes in membrane cytoskeleton interactions or in membrane fluidity involving boundary lipids of membrane proteins may provide the common denominator between these two points of toluene action at the subcellular level. Keywords: Toxicity. (aw)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA195689
Entities
People
- James Morre
Organizations
- Purdue Research Foundation