BHK 21 cells can adhere to a protein-coated plastic dish in the presence of Ca2+ at temperatures above 12 degrees C. However, they cannot adhere below 8 degrees C. The ESR spectrum of cells spin-labeled with a stearic acid label indicated that the membrane fluidity changed characteristically at 10 degrees C, 20 degrees C, and 30 degrees C. The critical temperature for cell adhesion coincided we...

The relationship between thylakoid membrane fluidity and the process of photoinhibition at room and low (4 degrees C) temperature was investigated. Two different membrane perturbing agents--cholesterol and benzylalcohol were applied to manipulate the fluidity of isolated pea thylakoids. The photochemical activity of photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII), polarographically determined, we...

Fibrates are commonly used lipid-lowering agents that act via PPARalpha, a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. The mechanism(s) of fibrate-induced changes in the hepatic canalicular membrane and bile lipids are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of fibrates on hepatic lipid metabolism and to assess the hepatocellular cytoprotective e...

The role of membrane cholesterol as a crucial regulator in the structure and function of membrane proteins and receptors is well documented. However, there is a lack of consensus on the mechanism for such regulation. We have previously shown that the function of an important neuronal receptor, the serotonin1A receptor, is modulated by cholesterol in hippocampal membranes. With an overall object...

The membrane fluidity of reduced-amphotericin B (AmB)-sensitivity Kluyveromyces lactis mutant strain is higher than that of the wild-type K. lactis strain. After culture of the K. lactis and K. lactis mutant cells in the presence of subinhibitory doses of AmB (10 and 125 mg/liter, respectively), the plasma membranes of both yeast strains also showed a higher fluidity than did those of control c...

The role of sterols as structural components in the mitochondria] membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. Gel to liquidcrystalline transitions of mitochondria] membrane preparations from mutant and wild type cells were probed using the technique of fluorescence polarization. Mitochondria isolated from those strains accumulating sterols other than ergosterol exhibited a phase tran...

Biological membranes consist of fluid bilayers with many lipid and protein components. This fluidity implies a high flexibility that allows the membranes to attain a large variety of different shapes. One important shape parameter is the spontaneous curvature, which describes the asymmetry between the two leaflets of a bilayer and can be changed by adsorption of 'particles' such as ions or prot...

A series of experiments were conducted to examine the role of Ca2+ in modulating the fluidity of rat small- and large-intestinal antipodal plasma membranes and their liposomes. This bivalent cation was found to decrease the fluidity of these preparations in a complex manner involving at least two distinct mechanisms. The first appeared to be a direct effect of Ca2+ on fluidity, was readily reve...

AIMS AND METHODS Alterations in cholesterol and phospholipid contents as well as fluidity and lipid peroxidation in erythrocyte membranes from chronic alcoholic humans were investigated. RESULTS While an increase in cholesterol with no change in phospholipid content was observed in erythrocyte membranes, the phospholipid content increased with no change in cholesterol in plasma. CONCLUSIONS...

The lipid composition of a strain of each of two yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kloeckera apiculata, with different ethanol tolerances, was determined for cells grown with or without added ethanol. An increase in the proportion of ergosterol, unsaturated fatty acid levels and the maintenance of phospholipid biosynthesis seemed to be responsible for ethanol tolerance. The association of et...