MYCOBACTERIAL GLYCOPEPTIDOLIPID INTERACTIONS WITH MEMBRANES - A MONOLAYER STUDY

Mycobacterial glycopeptidolipid (GPL) interactions with membranes were analysed with monolayer experiment, using GPLs bearing 3, 1, or 0 car bohydrate residues (GPL3, GPL1, GPL0), Compression isotherms and surfa ce potential determinations suggested that the glycopeptidic moiety of GPL3 permanently dipped in water, while those of GPL1 and GPL0 can la y in the interface, Insertion of GPL molecules into a preformed phosph olipid monolayer was observed using GPL3 or GPL1 dispersions, but not from GPL0, It is postulated that the activity of GPL0 is low due to it s failure to become inserted into membranes, as is that of GPL3 owing to its insertion only by its acyl chain, GPL1 is likely to disturb mem branes by inserting its glycopeptidic moiety into the interface.