Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10533944 | Analytical Biochemistry | 2005 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
Heme (ferric protoporphyrin IX, FP) dissolves very rapidly into the lipid phase of membranes, and a large number of studies have focused attention on its possible toxic effect in whole cells or isolated membranes. However, because of its molecular structure and reactivity, different problems can be encountered during the course of studying biological samples containing FP. In this article, we discuss important interferences by FP and artifacts that can affect the experimental values. First, FP interferes with the Lowry's protein determination; therefore, membranes containing FP are overestimated in their protein content determined by this procedure. Second, freezing membranes at â20°C artifactually increases the local concentration of FP, thereby enhancing FP-induced lipid peroxidation. Third, in the presence of thiol compounds such as N-acetyl cysteine, FP is degraded to products that interfere with the thiobarbituric acid assay, one of the most widely used methods to measure the extent of lipoperoxidation.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Authors
Fausta Omodeo Salè, Elisa Vanzulli, Gigliola Montorfano, Diego Monti,