[X-ray structural study of the effect of light on isolated bovine photoreceptor membranes]

The structure of multilamellar films prepared by air-drying of bovine retinal rod photoreceptor membrane suspension has been studied by means of small-angle X-ray diffraction methods. No reliable photoreceptor membrane structure modifications were observed with 100 s temporal resolution after the illumination of the film consisting of dark-adopted membranes. The comparative study of air-dried films prepared from dark-adopted and bleached photoreceptor membranes revealed no difference in their structures too. The structure alterations of photoreceptor membranes were recorded in the case of high (damaging) doses of visible light acting on photoreceptor membranes in suspension.