Fluorescence polarization and viscosities of membrane lipids of 3T3 cells.

Studies of the fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene in membranes of normal, transformed, and revertant 3T3 cells allowed estimation of microviscosities (eta) of the lipid bilayers of these cells. Fluorescence polarization values observed with normal cells were significantly lower than those observed with cells transformed either by polyoma virus or by simian virus 40. The values of fluorescence polarization obtained with revertant Py6R1 cells were lower than those obtained with the normal cells. The calculated microviscosities (eta) show a 50% increase upon transformation. Possible correlations between the bilayer viscosity and the mobility of the receptors in the membrane are discussed.