Lipid surface considerations

The transfer of bromine across liquid-liquid and gas-liquid interfaces is of considerable interest, for example, for sensor systems or for fundamental insights in the effects of bromine in the environment. A new methodology for kinetic studies at a lipid layer has been reported by Zhang etal. ]138]. A microelectrode immersed in the aqueous phase is placed in close distance to a lipid surface layer in contact with a gas phase. The oxidation of bromide at the electrode causes the formation of bromine, which in part escapes through the lipid layer into the gas phase (see Scheme 4). 

The exact physiological role of ASYN has yet to be determined, but membrane binding seems to be important for its function. As a consequence, the membrane bound form has received considerable attention in the last several years. Preferentially, ASYN binds to negatively charged lipid surfaces. 

Interactions between macromolecules (protems, lipids, DNA,.. . ) or biological structures (e.g. membranes) are considerably more complex than the interactions described m the two preceding paragraphs. The sum of all biological mteractions at the molecular level is the basis of the complex mechanisms of life. In addition to computer simulations, direct force measurements [98], especially the surface forces apparatus, represent an invaluable tool to help understand the molecular interactions in biological systems. 

Our knowledge of biological membrane ultrastructure has increased considerably over the years as a result of rapid advances in instrumentation. Although there is still controversy over the most correct biological membrane model, the concept of membrane structure presented by Davson and Danielli of a lipid bilayer is perhaps the one best accepted [12,13]. The most current version of that basic model, illustrated in Fig. 7, is referred to as the fluid mosaic model of membrane structure. This model is consistent with what we have learned about the existence of specific ion channels and receptors within and along surface membranes. 

Thus, the fat globules are surrounded, at least initially, by a membrane typical of eukaryotic cells. Membranes are a conspicuous feature of all cells and may represent 80% of the dry weight of some cells. They serve as barriers separating aqueous compartments with different solute composition and as the structural base on which many enzymes and transport systems are located. Although there is considerable variation, the typical composition of membranes is about 40% lipid and 60% protein. The lipids are mostly polar (nearly all the polar lipids in cells are located in the membranes), principally phospholipids and cholesterol in varying proportions. Membranes contain several proteins, perhaps up to 100 in complex membranes. Some of the proteins, referred to as extrinsic or peripheral, are loosely attached to the membrane surface and are easily removed by mild extraction procedures. The intrinsic or integral proteins, about 70% of the total protein, are tightly bound to the lipid portion and are removed only by severe treatment, e.g. by SDS or urea. 

If the surface adsorption of ATP-14C to brain lipid films is examined over extended time intervals where evaporation is allowed to occur, it is possible to demonstrate a considerable adsorption of ATP to lipid, par-... 

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