The higher-order structure of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in membranes may involve dimerization and formation of even larger oligomeric complexes. Here, we have investigated the organization of the prototypical GPCR rhodopsin in its native membrane by electron and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Disc membranes from mice were isolated and observed by AFM at room temperature. In all experi...

The directional polymerization of actin on the erythrocyte membrane has been examined at various concentrations of G-actin by thin-section electron microscopy. For this purpose, a new experimental system using single-layered erythrocyte membranes with the cytoplasmic surfaces freely exposed was developed. The preformed actin filaments did not bind with the cytoplasmic surface of the erythrocyte...

Vital staining of the endothelial graft is essential during Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) to ensure surgical success. DMEK surgeons worldwide commonly use trypan blue (TB) to this end. However, TB may exert toxic effects on both the cornea and retina. Recently, Brilliant Blue G (BBG) has become recognized as an alternative stain for use during vitreoretinal surgery; BBG is...

W ithout voltage-gated sodium channels, heart muscle cells can’t keep a beat. Lowe et al. show how these cells, known as cardiomyocytes, direct channels to the right domain of their plasma membrane. Opening Nav1.5 sodium channels allows an inrush of sodium ions that depolarizes a cardiomyocyte. Patients who carry a faulty version of the channel are at risk for potentially lethal heart arrhythmi...

The bacterial outer membrane protein G (OmpG), a monomeric pH-gated porin, was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and refolded in beta-octyl glucoside micelles. After transfer into dodecylphosphocholine micelles, the solution structure of OmpG was determined by solution NMR spectroscopy at pH 6.3. Complete backbone assignments were obtained for 234 of 280 residues based on CA, CB, and CO connect...

Pleckstrin homology domains are modular domains that direct membrane targeting of their host proteins by binding to polyphosphoinositides; recent results have increased our appreciation of how some of these domains actually bind 3-phosphoinositides, and along the way thrown up some unexpected observations.

Cholesterol is a key component of cell membranes with a proven modulatory role on the function and ligand-binding properties of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Crystal structures of prototypical GPCRs such as the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) have confirmed that cholesterol finds stable binding sites at the receptor surface suggesting an allosteric role of this lipid. Here we combine exper...

Rapid, nongenomic actions of glucocorticoids (GCs) have been well documented, but information about putative membrane receptors that mediate them is scarce. We used fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to search for membrane GC-binding on the mouse pituitary cell line AtT-20. A slowly diffusing fraction (tau3; diffusion constant 3x10(-10) cm2 s-1) of fluorescein-labeled dexamethasone on the ce...

membrane technology is used to separate water or solvents from salts or pollutants. this technique could be used for water treatment. for using of polyether sulfone (pes) hollow fiber membranes in water treatment processes, the pes hollow fiber membranes were prepared by dry-wet spinning method and heated in an oven at: 120°c, 150°c and 180°c. the effect of heating on performance of membranes w...

large unilamellar liposomes and multilamellar vesicles consisting of dmpc interacted with cationic phosphorus-containing dendrimers cpds g3 and g4. dsc and ζ -potential measurements have shown that liposomal-dendrimeric molecular recognition occurs due to the interaction between the complementary surface groups. calorimetric studies indicate that the enthalpy of the transition of the lipids tha...