ESR investigation on the phase transitions of DPPC vesicles in presence of high concentrations of Li+, Na+, K+ and Cs+

The partition of the spin label TEMPO in the hydrophobic region of di-palmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine unilamellar vesicles has been used to investigate the influence of high concentration (up 3M) of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺ on the phase transitions at 20–60°C. All of the above salts increase the permeation of TEMPO. The efficiency of monovalent cations in inducing the partition of the spin label in the hydrophobic environment of the bilayer increases in the order: Cs⁺+++. The disappearing of the pretransition and the downward shift of the main phase transition temperature from 37°C to 33.5°C is related to the increased permeation of TEMPO into the bilayer. The presence of salts in the bulk solution disturbs the hydration of the zwitterionic polar head of the DPPC molecules and changes the electrical interaction between the polar groups of the bilayer. This reduces the packing density of the lipid molecules and promotes the permeation of TEMPO.