Temperature dependence of phalloidin response in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Below 21 degrees C isolated hepatocytes are insensitive to phalloidin. Between 21 and 30 degrees C the amount of affected cells increases to nearly maximal values, whereas a further rise of the temperature has little additional effect. These findings suggest that phase transition of membranal lipids might be responsible for the unusual temperature characteristics. The fluidity of lipids seems to control an early step of the phalloidin response.