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Protonation and deprotonation of the primary amino group of phosphatidylethanolamine, and of the lipid phosphate groups of phosphatidylethanolamine with phosphatidylcholine, have been observed directly and isothermally in equimolar mixed fluid bilayers of the two phospholipids. In addition, the acid-base titration of the secondary amino group of the local anaesthetic, tetracaine, whilst partitioned into the bilayers, has also been determined. Here we show how studies by deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance of non-perturbing deuterons, specifically placed at the membrane polar-apolar interface, can give direct information about the electrostatics at a membrane surface.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Biochim Biophys Acta

Publication Date

09/10/1986

Volume

861

Pages

368 - 372

Keywords

Chemical Phenomena, Chemistry, Physical, Deuterium, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Membrane Lipids, Phosphatidylcholines, Phosphatidylethanolamines, Protons, Tetracaine