In this paper, we present studies concerning phenyltin adsorption onto the dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine bilayer. Phenyltin compounds are known to be biologically active, and their molecular geometry makes it possible to study the effect of steric constraints on their ability to penetrate the model lipid membrane. Using a fluorescence probe as a reporter of the amount of adsorbed compound, we evaluated their affinity to the membrane as a function of the membrane state. The amount of the adsorbed compound was found to depend on the adsorbing molecule's geometry and lipid bilayer organization. The fluorescence measurements were supported by the density functional theory (DFT) method of quantum mechanical computations. The penetrant location was correlated with the possible relative positions of its polar and hydrophobic moieties to determine if it could adopt structural requirements of the local membrane environment. Molecules were deformed by a model force, mimicking interactions within the membrane interfacial region. Computations show that the diphenyltin molecule can be deformed to such an extent that it can adopt an amphiphilic conformation. Triphenyltin is different, as its bending requires more energy. Born repulsion energies from hydrophobic fluid into water for phenyltins were also computed in an isodensity-polarized continua model of DFT computation. Our results indicate that the phenyltin compounds incorporate into the interface of the lipid membrane, although diphenyltin integrates more deeply than triphenyltin, which locates on the double layer's surface, and this is due to the fact that the main role is played by steric and not electrostatic interactions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.