Pritchard J B
Fed Proc. 1979 Jul;38(8):2220-5.
The exposed location and functional importance of cell membranes make them particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of many chemicals. The likelihood of such effects has been appreciated for many years. However, the recent advent of new techniques has greatly increased our understanding of the complexities of membrane structure and function. These data make it quite clear that the interaction of toxic compounds with either the protein or the lipid component of cell membranes may substantially alter membrane function. This paper summarizes the current concepts of membrane structure and function and discusses the techniques currently in use to study cell membranes. Several examples are presented in which xenobiotics significantly alter membrane function. These include effects of heavy metals on passive ion permeability, impairment of osmoregulation and calcium transport by organochlorine pesticides, inhibition of the transport of neurotransmitter metabolites by phenoxyacetic acid herbicides in choroid plexus, and reduction in intestinal nutrient transport by heavy metals. Hence the study of the interactions of foreign compounds with membrane function may enhance our understanding of mechanisms both of toxicity and of basic membrane function.
细胞膜所处的暴露位置及其功能的重要性，使其特别容易受到许多化学物质的毒性影响。多年来，人们已经认识到出现这种影响的可能性。然而，新技术的近期出现极大地增进了我们对膜结构和功能复杂性的理解。这些数据清楚地表明，有毒化合物与细胞膜的蛋白质或脂质成分之间的相互作用可能会显著改变膜功能。本文总结了当前关于膜结构和功能的概念，并讨论了目前用于研究细胞膜的技术。文中列举了几个例子，说明外源化学物如何显著改变膜功能。这些例子包括重金属对被动离子通透性的影响、有机氯农药对渗透调节和钙转运的损害、苯氧乙酸除草剂对脉络丛中神经递质代谢物转运的抑制，以及重金属对肠道营养物质转运的减少。因此，对外源化合物与膜功能相互作用的研究，可能会增进我们对毒性机制和基本膜功能机制的理解。
