Identification of Li+ binding sites and the effect of Li + treatment on phospholipid composition in human neuroblastoma cells: A 7Li and 31P NMR study

Brian T. Layden, Abde M. Abukhdeir, Christopher Malarkey, Lisa A. Oriti, Wajeeh Salah, Claire Stigler, Carlos F G C Geraldes, Duarte Mota De Freitas*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Li+ binding in subcellular fractions of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells was investigated using 7Li NMR spin-lattice (T 1) and spin-spin (T2) relaxation measurements, as the T1/T2 ratio is a sensitive parameter of Li+ binding. The majority of Li+ binding occurred in the plasma membrane, microsomes, and nuclear membrane fractions as demonstrated by the Li + binding constants and the values of the T1/T2 ratios, which were drastically larger than those observed in the cytosol, nuclei, and mitochondria. We also investigated by 31P NMR spectroscopy the effects of chronic Li+ treatment for 4-6 weeks on the phospholipid composition of the plasma membrane and the cell homogenate and found that the levels of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine were significantly increased and decreased, respectively, in both fractions. From these observations, we propose that Li+ binding occurs predominantly to membrane domains, and that chronic Li+ treatment alters the phospholipid composition at these membrane sites. These findings support those from clinical studies that have indicated that Li+ treatment of bipolar patients results in irregularities in Li+ binding and phospholipid metabolism. Implications of our observations on putative mechanisms of Li+ action, including the cell membrane abnormality, the inositol depletion and the G-protein hypotheses, are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)339-349
Number of pages11
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease
Volume1741
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 25 2005

Keywords

  • Cell membrane
  • Cytosol
  • Lithium
  • Mitochondria
  • NMR
  • Phospholipid

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology

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