TOLUENE EFFECT ON LIPID-COMPOSITION OF ACHOLEPLASMA-LAIDLAWII CELLS

Toluene effect on the Acholeplasma laidlawii plasma membrane lipid com position was studied. In the first hour after toluene was added to the growth medium, the molar cholesterol/phospholipid ratio of the cell m embrane significantly increased, followed by an increase in the desatu ration index of the membrane fatty acids. The latter is considered as a compensatory cell reaction to an increase in membrane microviscosity . Cholesterol did not accumulate when chloramphenicol, dimethylamine, and sodium azide were added to the medium.