Open AccessFluorescence Spectroscopy of an Oriented Model Membrane
Author(s) -
Juan Yguerabide,
Lubert Stryer
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.68.6.1217
Subject(s) - fluorescence , bilayer , fluorescence anisotropy , fluorescence spectroscopy , lipid bilayer , membrane , chemistry , spectroscopy , analytical chemistry (journal) , laurdan , nanosecond , emission spectrum , materials science , spectral line , optics , physics , organic chemistry , laser , biochemistry , quantum mechanics , astronomy
We have devised a simple method that makes it feasible to apply fluorescence techniques to lipid bilayer membranes to elucidate aspects of their structure and dynamics. Fluorescence excitation, emission, and polarization spectra were obtained from a single spherical bilayer membrane consisting of oxidized cholesterol and fluorescent probe. The emission transition moments ofN,N ′-di(octadecyl)oxacarbocyanine and 12-(9-anthroyl)-stearic acid were found to be aligned parallel to the plane of the bilayer, whereas that ofp -bis-[2-(4-methyl-5-phenyloxazolyl)]-benzene was aligned in a perpendicular direction. All three probes exhibited appreciable rotational mobility, parallel to the plane of the bilayer, in durations of nanoseconds. An attractive feature of this model membrane is that fluorescence measurements can be made at the same time as electrical measurements and perturbations. Also, it may be possible to incorporate functional protein assemblies into this model and to use fluorescence spectroscopy to delineate some aspects of their assembly and function.