The interaction between porphyrins and lipoid and protein monolayers

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Abstract
Bili-rubin and the capillary-active porphyrins strongly penetrate lipid monolayers; this penetration involves but a weak polar interaction and is largely influenced by the interaction of the hydrophobic portions of the molecules. Specific interaction is found to occur with amine monolayers, the strength of the interaction being independent of the capillary activity of the reactant. Protein films interact with and are tanned by the more capillary-active porphyrins, but in some cases no adsorption of the porphyrins occurs in spite of strong reaction with amine films. This is due in part to polar interaction within the protein mpnolayer itself, as the reactivity of the amine group is negligible in mixed amine-acid films, where strong polar attraction between the basic and the acid group occurs. Some elec-trophoresis expts. in porphyrin-serum-albumin mixtures in bulk soln. are described and compared with the data ob- tained in, monolayers. Possible biological implications of the results are discussed.

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