Structural alteration of lymphocyte membrane induced by gangliosides. A conductometric study.

The passive electrical properties of human lymphocyte membranes incubated with different gangliosides have been measured by means of radiowave dielectric spectroscopy in the frequency range where the Maxwell-Wagner effect occurs. — The alterations of the membrane structure and functionality reflect in an increase of the membrane conductivity σs and membrane permittivity εs, depending on the chemical composition of the ganglioside employed. The possible relation to the structural changes of the cytoplasmatic membrane are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]