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. 1976 Feb;125(2):670–678. doi: 10.1128/jb.125.2.670-678.1976

Adaptation of membrane lipids to alcohols.

L O Ingram
PMCID: PMC236128  PMID: 1107328

Abstract

The effects of alcohols of different chain lengths on the fatty acid composition of Escherichia coli K-12 have been examined. My results indicate that these cells radically change their fatty acid composition when grown in the presence of alcohols. These changes represent an adaptive membrane alteration compensating for the direct physicochemical interaction of alcohols with the membrane. Similar adaptive responses of membrane lipids are proposed as a possible biochemical basis for tolerance to alcohol and related drugs.

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Selected References

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