Interactions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their nitro derivatives with bilayer and monolayer models of fungal membranes

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants forming as byproducts in combustion processes. These compounds can become nitrated the environment even more toxic nitro derivatives. Both PAHs and nitro-PAHs accumulate soils which lead to pollution of vast areas arable land. The best means their elimination from is bioremediation that degradation by soil microorganisms. Important key players with high prospects non-ligninolytic fungi, incorporate derivatives into plasma membranes, oxidize metabolize nontoxic products. accumulation membrane can, however, be fungal cell, but mechanisms PAH-membrane lipid interactions how they influence phase state properties still poorly understood. To shed light on these questions we employed models studied selected nitro-PAHs. Two complementary model systems were investigated: giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV) Langmuir monolayers. We find native induce separation formation solid ordered GUVs, whereas nitro-derivatives do not disturb liquid crystalline membranes. monolayer studies indicate some preferably partition liquid-expanded while others liquid-condensed domains. possibility incorporation condensed domains implies order bilayer affect function rafts