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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Single Molecule Methods for Monitoring Changes in Bilayer Elastic Properties
Published on: November 3, 2008
Properties of cell membranes relevant to anaesthesiology
Abstract:
Recent advances in the study of cell membrane structure and function confirm the Singer-Nicolson model of a lipid bilayer in which membrane proteins are embedded. Mobility of these proteins is essential for biological activity. The Ca2+-ATPase of skeletal muscle is a typical example of a transmembrane integral protein. Within this protein various domains can be identified on the basis of their functional activities. A hydrophobic pocket within the APTase polypeptide appears to be a possible site of interaction with halothane molecules. These findings may explain the well-known correlation between anaesthetic potency and lipid solubility with specific inhibition of functions known to be mediated by membrane proteins.
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