No abstract

For the first time, the behaviour of tobacco cell suspensions submitted to four porphyrins was described. The potential killer effect of these photosensitizers on tobacco cells was evaluated. Biological results were correlated with photophysical properties and the reactive oxygen species production capacity of tested compounds. Surprisingly, the anionic free-base porphyrin showed the strongest phototoxic effect.

Modulations of the optical properties of a new porphyrin–fluorescein dyad were elucidated using experimental and theoretical techniques, with conformational rearrangements being studied.

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a key luminal actor of secretory granule biogenesis at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) level but the molecular mechanisms involved remain obscure. Here, we investigated the possibility that CgA acts synergistically with specific membrane lipids to trigger secretory granule formation. We show that CgA preferentially interacts with the anionic glycerophospholipid phosphatidic acid (PA).In accordance, bioinformatic analysis predicted a PA-binding domain (PABD) in CgA sequence that effectively bound PA (36:1) or PA (40:6) in membrane models.We identified PA (36:1) and PA (40:6) as predominant species in Golgi and granule membranes of secretory cells, and we found that CgA interaction with these PA species promotes artificial membrane deformation and remodeling. Furthermore, we demonstrated that disruption of either CgA PABD or phospholipase D (PLD) activity significantly alters secretory granule formation in secretory cells. Our findings show for the first time the ability of CgA to interact with PLD-generated PA, which allows 6770 |