Difference infrared spectroscopy of aqueous model and biological membranes using an infrared data station

A Perkin-Elmer infrared Data Station associated with a simple IR spectrometer (model 298) is shown to give excellent results with aqueous model and biomembrane systems. Examples are presented of difference spectra obtained with lipid--water systems, reconstituted lipid--protein systems and a natural biomembrane. The spectra of the lipid after water subtraction and of the intrinsic protein after lipid subtraction from a model reconstituted Ca2+-ATPase membrane system are shown. The potential for studying intrinsic protein conformations is emphasised.