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Applications of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to the study of bio-membranes

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Research Instrumentation for the 21st Century

Part of the book series: Beltsville Symposia in Agricultural Research ((BSAR,volume 11))

Abstract

Conventional and saturation transfer electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR and ST-EPR) in combination with EPR spin labeling are the EPR techniques most widely used in biological research. They are especially well suited for the study of molecular dynamics. In this review some applications of EPR techniques to the study of molecular motions in bio- membranes wil be discussed as examples. Basic EPR concepts and instrumentation will be reviewed and EPR and ST-EPR methodologies compared. Spin labels designed as membrane probes will be described and their use in investigations of membrane lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions discussed and illustrated with some examples from the current literature. A particular advantage of EPR is that it can be used with living systems. Spin-lable spectra of the plasma membrane of living, whole-rye cells and of rye plasma membrane-lipid vesicles were obtained as a function of temperature. In each case, the spectra were found to be composed of two components: a fluid lipid fraction and an immobilized lipid fraction. Temperature profiles for each specimen are presented and discussed in terms of lipid-lipid and lipid-protein interactions. Problems of spin label distribution and decay in living cells are also discussed.

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  1. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Berkeley, CA, 94710, USA

    John J. Windle

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  1. John J. Windle
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Gary R. Beecher

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© 1988 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht

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Windle, J.J. (1988). Applications of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to the study of bio-membranes. In: Beecher, G.R. (eds) Research Instrumentation for the 21st Century. Beltsville Symposia in Agricultural Research, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2748-3_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2748-3_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7734-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2748-3

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