Testing of aggregation measurement techniques for intramembranous particles

Fractal aggregates

In recent years it has been shown that the structures of a wide variety of colloidal aggregates can be described in terms of the concepts of fractal geometry. The purpose of this review is to discuss some of the evidence for fractal geometry in experimental systems and indicate how fractal geometry can be used to develop a better understanding of their aggregation kinetics and physical properties. At the present time much of our understanding of the structure and properties of fractal aggregates has come from computer simulations. Consequently, a major part of this paper is concerned with the role played by simple computer models in understanding the origins of fractal aggregates as well as their physical and chemical properties. The main emphasis is on models for colloidal aggregation but a brief description of a few other models for non-equilibrium growth and aggregation processes which have been of particular interest during the past few years has been included.

Lateral distribution of intramembrane particles in Purkinje and granule cells of the rat cerebellar cortex

The lateral distribution of intramembrane protein particles (IMP) in the plasma membrane of Purkinje and granule cells was quantitatively assessed in freeze-fracture replicas of the rat cerebellar cortex. In the plasma membrane of each cell type this technique showed domains with statistically significant differences in the distribution of IMP. The values were highly reproducible between different animals fixed in comparable conditions. This analysis provides an additional parameter (besides the number and size of IMP) in the assessment of neuronal membrane heterogeneity.

Statistical mechanics of lipid membranes. Protein correlation functions and lipid ordering

An expression is derived for the lipid-mediated intermolecular interaction between protein molecules embedded in a lipid bilayer. It is assumed that protein particles are accommodated by the bilayer, but they distort the lipids in some manner from their equilibrium protein-free configuration. We treat this situation by expanding the free energy density in the plane of the membrane as a Taylor series in some arbitrary parameter and its gradient. Minimization of the total membrane energy for a given particle configuration yields the interparticle interaction energy for that configuration. A test of the model is provided by measurement of the protein-protein pair distribution function from freeze-fracture micrographs of partially aggregated membranes. The measured functions can be simulated by adjustment of two parameters (a) a lipid correlation length that characterizes the distance over which a distortion of the bilayers is transmitted laterally through the bilayer, and (b) a term quantifying the energy of the protein-lipid interaction at the protein-lipid boundary. Correlation lengths obtained by fitting the calculated particle distribution functions to the data are found to be several nanometers. Protein-lipid interaction energies are of the order of a few kT.

Pair distribution functions of bacteriorhodopsin and rhodopsin in model bilayers

The pair distribution functions have been measured from freeze-fracture pictures of bacteriorhodopsin and rhodopsin recombinants with diacyl phosphatidylcholines (PC) of various hydrocarbon chain lengths. Pictures were used of samples that had been frozen from above the phase transition temperature of the lipid. Measured functions were compared with those calculated from two model interparticle potential energy functions, (a) a hard-disk repulsion only, and (b) a hard-disk repulsion plus electrostatic repulsion for a point charge buried in the membrane. The measured functions for bacteriorhodopsin di 12:0 PC, di 14:0 PC, and di 16:0 PC recombinants can be simulated using an interparticle hard-disk repulsion only. Bleached rhodopsin di 12:0 PC and di 18:1 trans-PC recombinants, and dark-adapted rhodopsin di 10:0 PC recombinants yield functions that are better simulated by assuming an additional repulsive interaction. The measured functions resemble those calculated using the hard-disk plus electrostatic repulsion model. The picture of dark-adapted rhodopsin in di 18:1 trans-PC frozen from 20 degrees C shows partial aggregation that is apparent in the measured pair distribution function. This attractive interaction persists even at 37 degrees C, where the measured function shows deviations from the hard-disk repulsive model, indicative of an attractive interparticle interaction. Implications of these results are discussed in terms of protein-lipid interactions.