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Fluidity characteristics of bovine thyroid plasma membranes
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|March 28, 1985
Summary
Bovine thyroid plasma membranes were purified and analyzed for lipid and protein composition. Membrane fluidity was assessed, revealing differences between luminal and basolateral subfractions, influenced by lipid and protein content.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Membrane Biophysics
Background:
- Thyroid plasma membranes are crucial for hormone regulation.
- Understanding membrane composition and physical state is key to thyroid function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highly purify bovine thyroid plasma membranes.
- To characterize their lipid and protein composition.
- To investigate the physical state and fluidity of these membranes.
Main Methods:
- Differential pelleting and gradient centrifugation for purification.
- Affinity chromatography for subfractionation.
- Fluorescence anisotropy and excimer formation for membrane fluidity analysis.
Main Results:
- Purified membranes showed significant enrichment in 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase.
- Sphingomyelin levels were higher in plasma membranes compared to whole tissue.
- Membrane fluidity was influenced by neutral lipids and protein content, with luminal membranes being less fluid than basolateral ones.
Conclusions:
- Bovine thyroid plasma membrane composition and physical state were characterized.
- Differences in fluidity between luminal and basolateral membranes were attributed to lipid and protein variations.
- Thyrotropin and cholera toxin did not significantly alter membrane probe dynamics.