Fusiogenic activity of natural amphiphiles, 5-n-alkylresorcinols in a yeast protoplast system.

Two homologues of cereal grain resorcinolic lipids, 5-n-heptadecylresorcinol and 5-n-heptadecenylresorcinol studied in the system employing yeast cell protoplasts showed marked fusiogenic activity. The frequency of hybrid formation induced by studied amphiphiles was significantly higher than that obtained with the use of 40% (w/v) polyethylene glycol 4000. The resorcinolic lipids as fusion-inducing agents did not affect regeneration of the cellular wall. The fusiogenic activity of resorcinolic lipids lost when calcium ions were absent in the medium. Fusiogenic activity of studied amphiphiles is related to their ability to induce non-bilayer structures within the cellular membranes.