The Modification of Water Structure by Divalent Cations as a Mechanism of Membrane Permeability Control

Abstract

During the past two decades the emphasis of research in cryobiology has shifted away from the mechanical effects of ice crystals on cells and has focused increasingly on the dehydration and solute concentration which result when water is frozen out of solution. Our own studies have led us to two tentative conclusions regarding freezing injury in living cells (1, 2). First, the primary injury is to the cell membrane and is associated with an osmotic dehydration and volume reduction of the cell beyond a tolerable limit. Second, membrane dehydration is probably responsible for the changes in membrane stability that are seen. The mechanism by which the loss of membrane water influences membrane properties has been of particular interest to us. Our concern with the role of water and its influence on membrane structure and permeability has led us to the experiments, observations and speculations that are summarized in this paper.

Contribution No. 246 from the American National Red Cross Blood Research Laboratory.

Supported in part by Contract N0014-70-C-0076 from the Office of Naval Research.