Abstract
Conclusions
We conclude that ANS binds to hydrophobic regions and forms fluorescent noncovalent complexes with human peripheral leukocytes. Furthermore, the fluorometric detection of the complexes is possible at an ANS concentration which does not kill the cells. Thus the use of ANS permits the physico-chemical mapping of hydrophobic binding sites on and within living cells. Further studies should clarify the intracellular and membranal distribution of ANS. A spectrofluorometric analysis of ANS-cell complexes should yield greater insight into the microenvironment and conformation of the hydrophobic binding sites. ANS should thus prove useful as a tool to investigate the relationship between macromolecular structure and cellular function.
Summary. A fluorescence enhancement study of the interaction between the hydrophobic probe 1,8-anilinonaphthalenesulfonate (ANS) and human peripheral blood cells was performed by means of photomicrography and quantitative fluorescence microscopy. Leukocytes appear to possess many more hydrophobic regions which bind ANS than do erythrocytes. The binding of ANS at appropriate concentrations did not significantly affect viability of cells.
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