Hairpin polyenes

The mode of action of amphidinols can be accoimted for by their membrane permeabilizing actions. The polyene and polyhydroxy moieties play important roles in binding lipid bilayer membrane and in forming ion-permeable pore/lesion across membrane. The central part involving two tetrahydropyran rings comprises a large hydrophilic part with a hairpin conformation and the polyolefin moiety penetrates deep into membrane. The size of the pore formed in the membrane is influenced by the polyhydroxy region [ 123]. 

---