Effect of peroxisomicine on lipid bilayer membranes

The possible effect of Peroxisomicine Al on the plasma membrane level was i nvestigated by help of lipid bilayer model membranes. Peroxisomicines Al, A p (dimeric antracenones) were isolated from plants of the genus Karwinskia (Rhamnaceae). One of them (Peroxisomicine Al) was applied to lipid bilayer model membranes to observe its possible influence on the permeability behav ior of attacked cell membranes. The electrical conductance of the lipid bil ayer was taken as the main electrical parameter under consideration. Upon a supplement of the above-mentioned toxin the bilayer responded with a moder ate increase of its membrane conductance. This indicates that Peroxisomicin e Al has some influence on the structural properties of the lipid bilayer, though the extent of the observed effect may not count for the full scale t oxic activity imposed by this subtance reported.