Carbohydrate induced modulation of cell membrane. V : ESR characterization of molecular mobility in lipid bilayer of human neutrophil plasma membrane.

Physiological changes in neutrophils after binding of sialic acid, mucin and fucoidan have been investigated using spin probes. Binding of sialic acid markedly reduces the mobility of neutrophil membrane proteins and lipids. Binding of mucin and fucoidan totally restricts the mobility probably due to cross linking of the surface lectins. Binding of these ligands also resulted in an increase in the cytoplasmic viscosity.