Permeability and structure of junctional membranes at an electrotonic synapse

The dye Procion Yellow M4RS crosses junctional membranes from cytoplasm to cytoplasm at electrotonic synapses between segments of the crayfish septate axon. The dye does not enter the cells from extracellular space. Thus permeability of junctional membranes is qualitatively different from that of nonjunctional membranes. Electron microscopy after fixation in the presence of lanthanum hydroxide indicates that these synapses are "gap junctions" and that there is a network of channels continuous with extracellular space between apposed junctional membranes. These channels must be interlaced with intercytoplasmic channels that are not open to extracellular space.     

Topology of the outer segment membranes of retinal rods and cones revealed by a fluorescent probe

When N,N'-didansyl cystine binds to the cell membranes of vertebrate rods and cones its fluorescence efficiency increases about 20-fold. The entire outer segments of living cones become brilliantly fluorescent. Stained live rods, as well as most freshly detached outer segments, are only weakly fluorescent, but they become brightly fluorescent within a few seconds if their plasma membranes are osmotically ruptured. The difference in staining of rod and cones suggests that disk membranes of rods are not continuous with the plasma membranes are osmotically ruptured. The difference in staining of rod and cones plasma membrane on outer segments of photoreceptors in electrophysiological and biochemical experiments, and to study the infolding pattern of rod and cone disks.     

Positioning of longitudinal nerves in C. elegans by nidogen

Basement membranes can help determine pathways of migrating axons. Although members of the nidogen (entactin) protein family are structural components of basement membranes, we find that nidogen is not required for basement membrane assembly in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Nidogen is localized to body wall basement membranes and is required to direct longitudinal nerves dorsoventrally and to direct axons at the midlines. By examining migration of a single axon in vivo, we show that nidogen is required for the axon to switch from circumferential to longitudinal migration. Specialized basement membranes may thus regulate nerve position.     

Fast mass transport through sub-2-nanometer carbon nanotubes

We report gas and water flow measurements through microfabricated membranes in which aligned carbon nanotubes with diameters of less than 2 nanometers serve as pores. The measured gas flow exceeds predictions of the Knudsen diffusion model by more than an order of magnitude. The measured water flow exceeds values calculated from continuum hydrodynamics models by more than three orders of magnitude and is comparable to flow rates extrapolated from molecular dynamics simulations. The gas and water permeabilities of these nanotube-based membranes are several orders of magnitude higher than those of commercial polycarbonate membranes, despite having pore sizes an order of magnitude smaller. These membranes enable fundamental studies of mass transport in confined environments, as well as more energy-efficient nanoscale filtration.     

DNA-functionalized nanotube membranes with single-base mismatch selectivity

We describe synthetic membranes in which the molecular recognition chemistry used to accomplish selective permeation is DNA hybridization. These membranes contain template-synthesized gold nanotubes with inside diameters of 12 nanometers, and a "transporter" DNA-hairpin molecule is attached to the inside walls of these nanotubes. These DNA-functionalized nanotube membranes selectively recognize and transport the DNA strand that is complementary to the transporter strand, relative to DNA strands that are not complementary to the transporter. Under optimal conditions, single-base mismatch transport selectivity can be obtained.     

Computer simulations of self-assembled membranes

Molecular dynamics simulations in three dimensions of particles that self-assemble to form two-dimensional, membrane-like objects are presented. Anisotropic, multibody forces, chosen so as to mimic real interactions between amphiphilic molecules, generate a finite rigidity and compressibility of the assembled membranes, as well as a finite line tension at their free edges. This model and its generalizations can be used to study a large class of phenomena taking place in fluctuating membranes. For instance, both fluid and solid-like phases, separated by a phase transition, are obtained and some of the large-scale properties of these membranes studied. In particular, thermal undulations of quasi-spherical fluid vesicles are analyzed, in a manner similar to recent experiments in lipid systems.     

光系统I的异质性及其在类囊体膜上分布的研究进展

该文综合并分析国内外有关文献,对光合作用光反应中心、类囊体膜的特性、光系统Ｉ的异质性及其在类囊体膜上分布的研究进展进行了讨论．不同研究从高等植物叶绿体中可分离得到在体积、结构与组成上存在差异的光系统Ｉ色素蛋白复合物,它们在类囊体膜上分布是不均匀的．     

Endothelial cell membranes: polarity of particles as seen by freeze-fracturing

Freeze-fracturing shows particles within membranes. In plasma membranes of most cells the particles are more strongly bound to the inner half. In unfixed endothelial cells, this polarity is reversed. Glutaraldehyde fixation results in conventional polarity. The reverse polarity may be related to a mechanism for preferential fusion of pinocytotic vesicles with the plasma membrane.     

Preparation of sarcolemmal membrane from myocardial tissue culture monolayer by high-velocity gas dissection

A high-velocity stream of nitrogen is used to simultaneously disrupt myocardial cells in monolayer culture and fractionate their sarcolemmal membranes. The membranes show a high degree of ultrastructural and enzymatic purity, with less than 1 percent intracellular residuum. They are produced in less than 1 second and remain as tightly adherent sheets on the surface on which the cells were grown. The cells are exposed to no agent other than nitrogen gas during the preparative procedure.     

A protein induced during nerve growth (GAP-43) is a major component of growth-cone membranes

Growth cones are specialized structures that form the distal tips of growing axons. During both normal development of the nervous system and regeneration of injured nerves, growth cones are essential for elongation and guidance of growing axons. Developmental and regenerative axon growth is frequently accompanied by elevated synthesis of a protein designated GAP-43. GAP-43 has now been found to be a major component of growth-cone membranes in developing rat brains. Relative to total protein, GAP-43 is approximately 12 times as abundant in growth-cone membranes as in synaptic membranes from adult brains. Immunohistochemical localization of GAP-43 in frozen sections of developing brain indicates that the protein is specifically associated with neuropil areas containing growth cones and immature synaptic terminals. The results support the proposal that GAP-43 plays a role in axon growth.     

Role of LBPA and Alix in multivesicular liposome formation and endosome organization

What are the components that control the assembly of subcellular organelles in eukaryotic cells? Although membranes can clearly be distorted by cytosolic factors, very little is known about the intrinsic mechanisms that control the biogenesis, shape, and organization of organellar membranes. Here, we found that the unconventional phospholipid lysobisphosphatidic acid (LBPA) could induce the formation of multivesicular liposomes that resembled the multivesicular endosomes that exist where this lipid is found in vivo. This process depended on the same pH gradient that exists across endosome membranes in vivo and was selectively controlled by Alix. In turn, Alix regulated the organization of LBPA-containing endosomes in vivo.     

Structure of biological membranes

The combined x-ray diffraction and electron microscopic examination of myelin has provided reasonable, but not conclusive, support for its structure as a basically bimolecular leaflet of phospholipid that is partially interspersed with protein. But there is very little basis for extending this concept to biological membranes in general. There is no adequate experimental support for the specific orientation of phospholipids as proposed in the unit membrane theory or for the proposed polar nature of protein-lipid bonds, even in myelin. Membranes differ widely in chemical composition, metabolism, function, enzymatic composition, and even in their electron microscopic image. The only similarity is their general resemblance in electron micrographs, but, until more is known about the chemistry of electron microscopy, this evidence cannot be interpreted with confidence. One positive conclusion to which I have come is that much more chemical evidence must, and can, be obtained. Techniques for the isolation of membranes are improving and protein and lipid chemistry are now highly refined arts. Quantitative analysis of many different membranes is possible and the data can be related in some instances, notably bacterial plasma membranes, to calculations of surface area. Chemical and physical changes induced in membranes of widely different lipid composition by the preparatory procedures of electron microscopy can be determined directly and correlated with the electron microscopic image. Model systems can be assembled whose compositions closely resemble those of biological membranes. Membranes can be disassociated into subunits whose properties can be studied. In particular, x-ray diffraction analysis and electron microscopy by negative staining of reaggregates of lipoproteins isolated from membranes would be very informative. Perhaps most important, the problem of membrane structure must be considered in relation to the problems of membrane function and membrane biosynthesis.     

Folding and unbinding transitions in tethered membranes

Molecular dynamics simulations of tethered membranes indicate that an attraction between the monomers leads to a well-defined sequence of folding transitions with decreasing temperature. With insights gained from Landau theory and simulations of bimembranes, the folding transitions are found to be intimately linked to the unbinding of membranes. Finite-size effects, mainly due to the loss of entropy from edge fluctuations, play an important role in hindering folding transitions.     

Vesicle formation at the plasma membrane and trans-Golgi network: the same but different

An elaborate vesicle transport system supports the active exchange of membranes and protein cargo between the plasma membrane and the trans-Golgi network. Many observations suggest that highly conserved mechanisms are used in vesicle formation and scission. Such similarity is found both at the level of the receptor-ligand sequestration process that uses clathrin and associated polymeric and monomeric adaptor proteins, and in the machinery used to deform and vesiculate lipid membranes.     

甲醛交联麦草碱木质素-聚乙烯醇反应膜的制备及其性能研究

过甲醛交联麦草碱木质素与聚乙烯醇(PVA)后采用流延法制备了麦草碱木质素-PVA 反应膜,考察甲醛用 量对反应膜力学性能的影响,并采用SEM、TG、DTG 等方法予以表征,检测膜的力学性能、热性能、对紫外光的吸收 性能、透气性能和耐溶剂性能。结果表明:甲醛加入量为3. 0% 时,麦草碱木质素-PVA 反应膜的拉伸强度为21.81 MPa,断裂伸长率为682%;表面和断面较为均匀平整;最剧烈分解温度约为300 ℃,465 ℃时残重率约为7.8%,均 比PVA 膜高,热稳定性增强;麦草碱木质素-PVA 反应膜对200 ~500 nm 光有较强的吸收,具有抗紫外线辐射性能; 氮气透气率为2.696 x10 -7 m3 / (m2dkPa),远高于PVA 膜;溶于水和乙酸等极性溶剂,几乎不溶于异丙醇、四氯 化碳和石油醚等弱极性溶剂。      

主成分分析法与聚类分析法在胎衣不下奶牛血液生化研究中的应用

通过分析胎衣不下奶牛血液生化指标的变化特征,为奶牛胎衣不下早期诊断方法的建立提供依据。产犊后立即无菌采集47头奶牛血液,其中25头为胎衣正常排出奶牛,22头为胎衣不下奶牛;血液生化分析仪检测血清生化指标,主成分分析法与聚类分析法分析检测结果。结果表明,16项血清生化指标被聚类成3个主成分,主成分聚类分析的结果与临床采集样品的分类结果一致;与胎衣正常排出奶牛相比,胎衣不下奶牛的血清中乳酸脱氢酶、谷草转氨酶、谷氨酰胺转移酶、肌酸激酶水平显著升高。表明,主成分分析和聚类分析可以有效地区别胎衣不下奶牛血清和胎衣正常排出奶牛血清,因此可以通过此方法对奶牛产后胎衣不下的发生进行提前诊断;还表明奶牛胎衣不下的发生不仅与蛋白质代谢、离子代谢和肌肉代谢紊乱有关,而且肝脏和肾脏的机能损伤也可能导致胎衣不下。     

Multiple mechanisms of protein insertion into and across membranes

Protein localization in cells is initiated by the binding of characteristic leader (signal) peptides to specific receptors on the membranes of mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum or, in bacteria, to the plasma membrane. There are differences in the timing of protein synthesis and translocation into or across the bilayer and in the requirement for a transmembrane electrochemical potential. Comparisons of protein localization in these different membranes suggest underlying common mechanisms.     

Fabrication and properties of free-standing c60 membranes

Van der Waals forces that bind C(60) molecular solids are found to be sufficiently strong to allow the reproducible fabrication of free-standing C(60) membranes on (100) silicon wafers. Membranes, 2000 to 6000 angstroms thick, were fabricated by a modified silicon micro-machining process and were found to be smooth, flat, and mechanically robust. An important aspect of the silicon-compatible fabrication procedure is the demonstration that C(60) films can be uniformly and nondestructively thinned in a CF(4) plasma. Young's modulus and fracture strength measurements were made on membranes with areas larger than 6 millimeters by 6 millimeters. It may be possible to use C(60), membranes for physical property measurements and applications.     

Charge-mosaic membranes: enhanced permeability and negative osmosis with a symmetrical salt

Charge-mosaic membranes are prepared by embedding a single layer of alternating cation and anion exchange beads in silicone resin. Membranes made in an identical manner but containing only one type of exchanger serve as controls. The mosaic membranes are 50 to 100 times more permeable to potassium chloride than the controls; and furthermore they give rise to net volume flow from concentrated to dilute solutions of potassium chloride in the absence of a pressure gradient ("negative osmosis"), whereas the controls exhibit normal osmotic behavior. The negative reflection coefficients of the mosaics suggest potential applications in desalination.     

Antibody-based bio-nanotube membranes for enantiomeric drug separations

Synthetic bio-nanotube membranes were developed and used to separate two enantiomers of a chiral drug. These membranes are based on alumina films that have cylindrical pores with monodisperse nanoscopic diameters (for example, 20 nanometers). Silica nanotubes were chemically synthesized within the pores of these films, and an antibody that selectively binds one of the enantiomers of the drug was attached to the inner walls of the silica nanotubes. These membranes selectively transport the enantiomer that specifically binds to the antibody, relative to the enantiomer that has lower affinity for the antibody. The solvent dimethyl sulfoxide was used to tune the antibody binding affinity. The enantiomeric selectivity coefficient increases as the inside diameter of the silica nanotubes decreases.