Spontaneous and enzyme-induced dimer formation and its role in membrane permeability I. The permeability of non-electrolytes at high concentration

W. D. Stein*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The glycols ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,2-dihydroxypropane and 1,3-dihydroxypropane have been presumed to cross the membrane of the red blood cell by simple diffusion. It is shown, however, that the theory for penetration by simple diffusion fails at the higher concentrations of glycol. The experimental results can be accounted for by the assumption that interactions occur at these high concentrations between glycol molecules in the main bulk of the permeant solution. These interactions lead to the formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers and oligomers which can penetrate the membrane at a rate which differs from the rate for the monomers. Data on the rate of penetration from mixtures of glycols and studies on glycerol, trihydroxybutanol and thiourea penetration support this view.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)35-46
Number of pages12
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects
Volume59
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 May 1962
Externally publishedYes

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