Role of charge and hydration in effects of polysialic acid on molecular interactions on and between cell membranes.

摘要: Previous studies have shown that the polysialic acid (PSA) moiety associated with neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) has strong antiadhesive properties can influence a variety of cell-cell interactions. Based on size and structure this long linear homopolymer, we proposed activity PSA results from its physical properties. In present study, premise charge hydration underlie effects membrane vesicle aggregation is investigated through manipulation ionic strength. The establish are accentuated at low strength, where cause expansion polymer size, absent high strengths, collapses. These large were not to result changes in osmolarity solvent or relatively small effect strength intrinsic functional receptors. addition overall membrane-membrane interaction, was found highly localized strength-sensitive binding monoclonal antibodies NCAM. Together these suggest impede both molecular interactions between apposing membranes more direct contact NCAM other proteins surface.