Styrene maleic acid copolymer induces pores in biomembranes

• Published in: Soft matter Vol. 15; no. 39; pp. 7934 - 7944
• Main Authors: Orwick Rydmark, Marcella, Christensen, Mikkel Killingmoe, Köksal, Elif Senem, Kantarci, Ilayda, Kustanovich, Kiryl, Yantchev, Ventsislav, Jesorka, Aldo, Gözen, Irep
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Royal Society of Chemistry 2019
• Subjects: Acoustic microscopy; Acoustic resonance; Confocal microscopy; Copolymers; Fluorescein; Maleates - chemistry; Maleic acid; Organic compounds; Phospholipids; Polystyrenes - chemistry; Pore formation; Pores; Porosity; Solubility; Styrene; Styrenes; Surface acoustic waves; Unilamellar Liposomes - chemistry
• ISSN: 1744-683X; 1744-6848; 1744-6848
• DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01407a

We investigated the interactions between styrene-maleic acid (SMA) copolymers and phospholipid bilayers, using confocal microscopy and surface acoustic wave resonance (SAR) sensing. For the first time we experimentally observed and followed pore formation by SMA copolymers in intact supported bilayers and unilamellar vesicles, showing that fluorescein, a water-soluble organic compound with a mean diameter of 6.9 Å, can traverse the membrane. Our findings are in agreement with recent theoretical predictions, which suggested that SMA copolymers may insert along the plane of the bilayer to form stable toroidal pores. The experimental observations revealed that the interaction of styrene maleic acid with lipid membranes results in formation of toroidal pores.