Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient
Published on: September 17, 2011
A protein-free diet changes synaptosomal membrane fluidity and tyrosine and glutamate transport
V Felipo1, M D Miñana, S Grisolía
1Instituto de Investigaciones Citológicas de la Caja de Ahorros de Valencia, Spain.
Abstract:
Synaptosomes were isolated from cerebrums of rats fed standard (20% protein) or protein-free diets for 30 days. Arrhenius plots of their (Na+/K+)ATPase activities revealed a transition temperature of 25.5 degrees C for control rats and 23.4 degrees C for rats on protein-free diet, indicating that the latter increases synaptosomal membrane fluidity. The only change observed in the composition of the synaptosomal membranes was a 26% decrease of sialic acid. In synaptosomes from rats on protein-free diet the uptake of tyrosine was slightly reduced while that of glutamate was not affected. However, the exit of glutamate was reduced.
Related Concept Videos
Membrane Fluidity
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane

