Fractionation of microsomal membranes on the basis of their surface properties

Partition in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) aqueous-phase systems can be used for both membrane subfractionation and gaining information on membrane surface properties [H. Walter (1977) in Methods of Cell Separation (Catsimpoolas, N., ed.), vol. 1, pp. 307-354, Plenum, New York]. Smooth, light rough and heavy rough rat liver microsome (obtained by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation) were subjected to countercurrent distribution in such a system. Smooth microsomal membranes had the highest, heavy rough microsomal membranes the lowest and light rough microsomal membranes an intermediate partition coefficient. The separation is based primarily on hydrophobic differences in the membrane surfaces of the three preparations and is thus due to microsomal properties not previously utilized in their fractionation. The method permits additional subfractionations of microsomes.