Differential scanning calorimetry characterization of rabbit brain membrane fractions

Various membrane fractions have been prepared from rabbit brain synaptosomes by centrifugation on discontinuous sucrose gradients after osmotic shock. These fractions were characterized by electron microscopy (E.M.), SDS-PAGE and GABA binding. The fractions were then studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The calorimetric results indicate that all the fractions studied show thermal transitions at around 60 degrees C which correspond to the "melting" of membrane structures. An additional transition at higher temperature (82 degrees C) seems to be associated with an enrichment in central myelin fragments.