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Membrane fluidity of Toxoplasma gondii : a fluorescence polarization study
Author(s) -
Gallois Yves,
Foussard Françoise,
Girault Andrée,
Hodbert Jocelyne,
Tricaud Anne,
Mauras Geneviève,
Motta Claude
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1111/j.1768-322x.1988.tb00701.x
Subject(s) - membrane fluidity , fluorescence anisotropy , biology , fluorescence , phospholipid , membrane , sphingomyelin , phosphatidylcholine , toxoplasma gondii , biophysics , biochemistry , optics , immunology , antibody , physics
Toxoplasma gondii membrane fluidity was investigated by fluorescence polarization. We used 1,6‐diphenyl 1,3,5‐hexatriene (DPH) as a fluorescent hydrophobic probe. Fluorescence anisotropy (r) and degree of order (s) showed high fluidity properties. Chemical analysis was performed on this parasite. We found a low cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, many unsaturated fatty acid chains, and high phosphatidylcholine and low sphingomyelin amounts. These results were in good agreement with the observed high fluidity. This may be related to the great adaptability of Toxoplasma gondii in infesting a wide variety of host cells.