31P nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the phospholipid-protein interface in cell membranes

Both native and recombined membrane systems from the human erythrocyte membrane and the rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum have been studied with 31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). We compare intensities of the anisotropic 31P resonance exhibited by these membranes with the intensity expected from the known phospholipid content of the membranous sample. In a recombinant with human erythrocyte glycophorin, a component of the phospholipid is "missing" from the 31P NMR resonance, apparently due to a severe broadening of the resonance of that component. Approximately 29 phospholipid molecules were found immobilized per glycophorin molecule in the membrane, regardless of the phospholipid:protein ratio. Cholesterol may inhibit the immobilization of phospholipids by glycophorin. Recombinants with band three from the human erythrocyte membrane contain an immobilized phospholipid component, analogous to the results with glycophorin. 31P NMR data from the native sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane also revealed an immobilized phospholipid component whose magnitude is independent of temperature between 30 degrees C and 45 degrees C. Extensive papain proteolysis of the membrane completely digests the Ca++ Mg++ ATPase and removes the immobilization of phospholipids noted in the intact membrane. Limited trypsin cleavage, however, does not completely remove the immobilized component; salt reduces the immobilized component.