Modifiers of the Dipole Potential of Lipid Bilayers

This paper assesses the magnitude of change in the dipole potential (φd) of membranes caused by the adsorption of modifiers on lipid bilayers of various compositions. We tested flavonoids, muscle relaxants, thyroid hormones, and xanthene and styrylpyridinium dyes in order to assess their dipole-modifying properties. A quantitative description of the modifying action of flavonoids, muscle relaxants, thyroid hormones, and xanthene dyes is shown as the ratio of the maximum change in the bilayer dipole potential upon saturation and the absolute φ(d) value of the unmodified membrane. The slopes of the linear relationship between the increase in the dipole potential of phospholipid bilayers and the concentration of styrylpyridinium dyes in membrane-bathing solutions were found. We described the relationships between the change in φd and the chemical structure of modifiers, as well as the charge and spontaneous curvature of lipid monolayers.