The effects of ultra-low dose beta-radiation on the physical properties of human erythrocyte membranes.

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of ultra-low dose beta-radiation (ULDBR) on the physical properties of human erythrocyte membranes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To study the structural changes induced by beta-radiation in erythrocyte ghosts, the interactions of fluorescent probes (1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate, pyrene) with the erythrocyte membranes were investigated. The fluorescent responses to the ULDBR were registered after the addition of (14)C-leucine (37-3700 kBq(l(-1)) in the cellular suspension.

RESULTS

The ULDBR induced essential rearrangements of the membrane structure that appear in alterations of membrane spatial organisation, conformation of membrane proteins (structural flexibility, folding-unfolding), modification of surface and deep zones of membranes, lipid-protein interactions, and fluidity of annular lipids.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are evidence that, as previously discovered by us, the reversible effect of ULDBR on the zeta potential of human erythrocytes and the functional state of the membrane signal systems is most likely realised through local structural and dynamic rearrangements of macromolecules in cellular membranes.