Modelling the behavior of 5-aminolevulinic acid and its alkyl esters in a lipid bilayer

Edvin Erdtman, Daniel J.V.A. dos Santos, Lennart Löfgren, Leif A. Eriksson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

5-Aminolevulinic acid (5ALA) and ester derivates thereof are used as prodrugs in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The behavior of 5ALA and three esters of 5ALA in a DPPC lipid bilayer is investigated. In particular, the methyl ester displays a very different free energy profile, where the highest barrier is located in the region with highest lipid density, while the others have their peak in the middle of the membrane, and also displays a considerably lower permeability coefficient than neutral 5ALA and the ethyl ester. The zwitterion of 5ALA has the highest permeability constant, but a significant free energy minimum in the polar head-group region renders an accumulation in this region.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)178-182
Number of pages5
JournalChemical Physics Letters
Volume463
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Sept 2008
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Modelling the behavior of 5-aminolevulinic acid and its alkyl esters in a lipid bilayer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this