Influence of organotin compounds on phosphatidylserine membranes

Organotin compounds are widely distributed toxicants. They are membrane‐active molecules with broad biological toxicity. We have studied the interaction of tributyltin and triphenyltin with phosphatidylserine model membranes using differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction techniques. Organotin compounds produced a broadening of the gel to the liquid‐crystalline phase transition of the phospholipid and a shifting of the phase transition temperature to lower values. Infrared spectroscopy experiments showed that tributyltin exerted a fluidizing effect on the apolar part of the bilayer, and that both tributyl‐ and triphenyltin interact with the interfacial region of the bilayer, making the carbonyl groups less accessible to water. As seen by X‐ray diffraction experiments, organotin compounds were unable to change the bilayer macroscopic organization of the phospholipid, but they were able to reduce the long‐range order of the multibilayer system and to disorder the packing of the phospholipid molecules. The observed interaction between organotin compounds and phosphatidylserine membranes promotes physical perturbations that could affect membrane function and may mediate some of their toxic effects. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.