We have earlier shown through electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of leukocytes that membranes of cells from both Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) mice and humans have abnormally high fluidity. We have extended our studied to erythrocytes. Erythrocytes were labeled with the nitroxide-substituted analogue of stearic acid, 2-(3-carboxypropyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-tridecyl-3-oxazolidinyloxyl, and ESR sp...

We have previously reported that increased platelet membrane fluidity identifies a subgroup of patients with Alzheimer's disease who have distinct clinical features including an earlier age of symptomatic onset, a more rapidly progressive cognitive decline, and a decreased prevalence of focal electroencephalographic findings. In the current study, these patients also exhibited a decreased preva...

This study was undertaken to investigate possible relationships among plasma adiponectin, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PG F2α: an index of oxidative stress), and membrane fluidity (a reciprocal value of microviscosity) in hypertensive and normotensive men using an electron spin resonance-method. The order parameter (S) for the spin-label agent (5-nitroxide stearate) in red blood cell (RBC) me...

The eukaryotic cortical actin cytoskeleton creates specific lipid domains, including lipid rafts, which determine the distribution of many membrane proteins. Here we show that the bacterial actin homologue MreB displays a comparable activity. MreB forms membrane-associated filaments that coordinate bacterial cell wall synthesis. We noticed that the MreB cytoskeleton influences fluorescent stain...

Expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the multidrug resistance (MDR) 1 gene product, can lead to MDR in tumors. However, the physiological role of P-gp in normal tissues is not well understood. Previous studies on multidrug-resistant cells have suggested changes in membrane fluidity and membrane potential associated with P-gp expression, but interpretation of these studies is difficult, because ...

The relationship between thermotolerance and membrane properties was studied by using a ciliated protozoan, Paramecium aurelia. P. aurelia is a complex of sibling species termed ;syngens' whose cell morphology appear similar on microscopic examination. From the comparison of tolerance to increasing temperature among 14 syngens of P. aurelia, we selected syngens 2 and 3 as low thermotolerant exa...

Ten clinical isolates of Candida albicans, five strains belonging to each of fluconazole resistant and susceptible groups isolated from diabetic patients, were studied for the membrane fluidity and lipid composition. Compared to fluconazole susceptible strains, fluconazole resistant ones exhibited enhanced membrane fluidity as measured by fluorescence polarization technique. The increased membr...