Preservation of functional integrity during long term storage of a biological membrane.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles freeze-dried in the presence of trehalose retain most of their original biological activity for short periods. When the dry vesicles are stored for longer periods in air, Ca2+-transport becomes uncoupled from ATPase activity within a few days. However, when they are stored under vacuum, ATPase activity, Ca2+ transport, and coupling between Ca2+ transport and ATP utilization are maintained essentially intact for at least 110 days.
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D005612:Freeze Drying; D008566:Membranes; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013997:Time Factors; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D002118:Calcium