Carbohydrate induced modulation of cell membrane: II. Spin label study of fluidity changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte membrane

Abstract

This paper reports for the first time, that binding of various mono-, di-, and trisaccharides to membrane lectins reduces the rotational motion of membrane proteins and lipids indicating a decrease in membrane fluidity as studied by EPR spectroscopy using spin probes. Interaction of polysaccharides with lymphocyte resulted in an extensive decrease in membrane fluidity making the membrane almost rigid. The decrease in fluidity was dose-dependent, dependent on the multivalency of the ligand used, and was sensitive to presence of EDTA and sodium azide. Binding of two different carbohydrate ligands on their respective surface lectins has a synergistic effect on the decrease in membrane fluidity.