Polydispersity of aggregates formed by the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B and deoxycholate. A spin label study

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1989 Jun 6;981(2):207-12. doi: 10.1016/0005-2736(89)90030-8.

Abstract

The amphotericin B-deoxycholate (AB-DOC) system (1:2, mole basis) was studied with regard to its organizational properties making use of spin label ESR spectra. The spectra of a fatty acid spin label intercalated in AB-DOC preparations revealed two components, one strongly (S) and one weakly (W) immobilized. Spectral subtractions indicated that S corresponds to label in mixed AB-DOC aggregates while W is due to label in deoxycholate micelles. This situation, coexistence of different aggregates, is similar to that found in systems consisting of bile salts and phospholipids. The DOC/AB mole ratio in the mixed aggregate is highest when pure DOC micelles are present. Dilution leads to disappearance of the latter and to continuous loss of DOC from AB-DOC accompanied by an increase in size and decrease in solubility of the aggregates, as verified by filtration and centrifugation experiments. The results indicate that AB-DOC systems are polydisperse. Since amphotericin B preparations having different organizational properties display different toxic and therapeutic effect, the study of amphotericin B aggregates should help in understanding these phenomena at a molecular level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B*
  • Deoxycholic Acid*
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Micelles
  • Solubility
  • Spin Labels

Substances

  • Micelles
  • Spin Labels
  • Deoxycholic Acid
  • Amphotericin B