Abstract.
How thyroid hormones move across biological or model membranes is a subject of controversy. The passage of the 3,5,3′triiodo l-thyronine and 3,5,3′,5′ tetraiodo l-thyronine across model membranes was evaluated by the addition of the hormones to liposomes containing 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Results indicate that hormones can react with an amino-reactive compound pre-encapsulated into phosphatidylcholine liposomes. The transversal motions of thyroid hormones were characterized by using physiological concentration levels of (125I) 3,5,3′triiodo l-thyronine and (125I) 3,5,3′,5′ tetraiodo l-thyronine. The hormone distribution between the two monolayers was time-dependent and kinetic data were fitted to a single exponential. Results obtained show that 3,5,3′ triiodo l-thyronine can permeate phospholipid membranes and the diffusion time increases in the gel and liquid-ordered phase. On the contrary, 3,5,3′, 5′ tetraiodo l-thyronine could not diffuse the liposomal membrane from dimyristoyl and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine in gel phase and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine:cholesterol in the liquid-ordered phase. Our results in the liquid-ordered phase suggest that diffusion movement of thyroid hormones across cell membranes depends on the amount of cholesterol in the bilayer.
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Received: 1 June 1998/Revised: 14 October 1998
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Chehín, R., Issé, B., Rintoul, M. et al. Differential Transmembrane Diffusion of Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine in Liposomes: Regulation by Lipid Composition. J. Membrane Biol. 167, 251–256 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002329900489
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002329900489